system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: The world is in recession and gas prices are still relatively high.  Does this mean that gas prices will skyrocket once a strong economic recovery occurs?
gpt
Perhaps rise, but most likely not skyrocket and could fall.  Lots of factors going into this.  Most basic is supply and demand.

Supply first.  The world is awash in new sources of oil.  While these are more expensive to extract, the sheer amount of new oil sources (Tar sands in canada, shale in the US, off the shore of Brazil, etc) should keep oil from skyrocketing.  Though their is always a risk of unrest in the middle east that could cause short term spikes.

Oil, also, isn't the only energy source.  Some countries use natural gas instead of oil, we use part biofuels in the US for gas, and all over the world renewable sources are coming online.  Especially with fracking in the US, price of energy is dropping to stable as more non-oil supply also is being found in large numbers.  So, increased supply in oil and non-oil energy sources should limit price increases.

Demand side.

Increase in GDP should go along with an increase in demand for energy.  It isn't a 1 to 1 ratio, but yes increase in global economy should increase demand, and with everything else being equal should drive prices higher.  

However, there are some longer term bearish trends in gasoline demand.  Some analysts have called a top in gas demand, at least in the US.  First, cars are getting more efficient so thus using less gas for each mile driven.  Second, Americans are driving less miles and seems to be a function of demographics than a short term economic shift.  Young people are putting off owning cars relative to their parents and living in cities which drops the number of miles driven as commute times are lower.  

While economic growth in the world should in general increase demand for oil and all energy goods especially in the developing world, the drop in gas miles driven in the rich world as well as improved fuel efficiency should offset some of that demand.  

Essentially, the future is unknowable, but the trends in supply for gas and in demand for gas should prevent any skyrocketing increases in the near future.