[criley2]

Crude oil was irrelevant 2000 years ago. The primary forms of energy were wood, dung, and charcoal if I'm not mistaken.

There wasn't really energy infrastructure like there is today, outside of firewood/charcoal supply, which the Romans had in great supply.

But the average roman did not require much energy outside of cooking, as the temperate Mediterranean weather did not require heating energy.

The modern concept of energy running the world is really an Industrial/post-Industrial concept. Coal, then oil energy driving mass industry is the driver of modern power. Energy -> +Industry -> +Economic activity -> +Money -> +Power

[chewz]

You are mistaken. Romans had been on industrial scale mining copper, gold and silver in Spain and other places. That required unbelievable amounts of energy - mostly charcoal.

Romand knew waterwheel as a source of energy but rarely used - compared to medieval Europe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_metallurgy#Output

[B1FF_PSUVM]

Even if found, there was not much use for foul smelling oil.

Myrrh, on the other hand, was valuable, and so was olive oil which could be used for lamps.