Oil's Peak: The End May Be Nearer, It Seems

[welshTerrier2]

while big oil squeezes out the last of the profits, American "leaders" are just as calm as they could be ... "here ye, here ye, all is well" ...

dire times lie ahead ... where is the leadership? what's the plan? who will dare call for rationing of fossil fuels? just what kind of nonsense is being peddled? one calls for 10% renewable energy sources in 15 years ... another one, more extreme, insists on 20% in 15 years ...

folks, we ain't got that kind of time ... what exactly will the plan be when there is no gas to ration? how will our country survive when there is no fuel left to run the economy? got your air conditioner running right now?? ... that will be against the law ... and still, we do virtually nothing ... the "free" market will save us ...

source: http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0827-26.htm

Until recently, opinion on the future of world oil supplies was dominated by two views. One group of experts held that production would decline fairly soon, within a couple of decades at most. Another group argued that the crude would keep flowing for generations, thanks to ever-advancing detection and drilling technologies.

Either way, the scenario was for a gradual and orderly transition to fuels of the future. Now a third perspective is gaining both popular attention and professional respect -- the notion that oil's decline will be sharp and uncontrolled, following a peak that may be more or less at hand.

This "peak oil" theory is neither new -- some geologists think the world has already passed the high point of recoverable reserves -- nor universally accepted. But it is gaining ground as world demand surges, especially in China and India, and as the most important supplier shows signs of strain. <skip>

What would that peak be like? Obviously it would be catastrophic if the flow of petroleum products came to a sudden halt, or even if supplies remained steady but prices climbed to double or triple today's levels. Economies would stagger; some would collapse. Famines and mass migrations would ensue. Wars have been fought over much less.

Because it's the nature of oil fields to go into steep declines after reaching their peak, this clearly is not a problem that can be solved -- or perhaps even postponed -- by drilling new wells. Sooner or later, the United States and every other industrial nation will have to make the switch from oil to renewable alternatives. The advantage will belong to those who act soonest to develop the fuels and technologies of the future.

[marbuc]

1. When oil companies see their mortality and start to invest in

other projects, yeah, I think the production decline will be sooner than later.

[The Straight Story]

2. Given this regime they may ration (eliminate) people instead of oil

Scary thought, sad it crossed my mind though....

[wli]

5. all part of REX 84; Halliburton likely has TDP rights on ourbodies already

TDP = thermal depolymerization

[niallmac]

3. They won't make it unlawful to run your air conditioner

That would unfairly impact the rich. No, just jack up the price so high the peasants have to use paper fans.

[mhr]

4. You Got It - It Is A Planned Return To Feudalism

eom

[SoCalifer]

6. Call me Mr. Tinfoil Hat

But to be honest with you. I am not entirely convinced that we are as near to peak oil as is lead to believe. My sinister thoughts think that's just a cover story.

I feel something else is going on here. I not exactly sure what, but judging by the past, I do have a couple of ideas.

[rman]

7. Do you think world leaders will do the Right Thing,

if and when peakoil arrives, to prevent major catastrophy affecting the have-nots?

[SoCalifer]

8. No.

Because I don't trust the world leaders for anything but their own lust for money & power.

I don't trust none of'em.