OA did mention many companies failing but not in the detail you have in your first paragraph. Your last paragraph suggests that amortization of the capital use

OA did mention many companies failing but not in the detail you have in your first paragraph. Your last paragraph suggests that amortization of the capital used to build the plant is a major factor in the cost per barrel of oil-equivalent. Historically in UK, we have had subsidy (and insolvency!) to offset capital costs for canals, railways, some roads, and some of the early electricity generation (pre-Nationalisation). There have been 'public-private' partnerships since (i.e. taxpayer takes a chunk of risk) some of which have worked and some of which have been more questionable. Good luck!