Peak oil – Nov 17

November 17, 2011

Click on the headline (link) for the full text.

Many more articles are available through the Energy Bulletin homepage.


Peak oil conference in London Dec 6: Assessing PO’s economic impact on global oil supply

Energy Institute
6 December 2011
09.00 – 17.00

Energy Institute
61 New Cavendish Street
London
WiG 7AR

Addressing the peak oil debate has never been more essential. As the economic downturn bites, what affect will this have on production and the uptake of unconventionals. Have we reached the end of cheap oil and if so what effect will this have? This popular one-day conference will shed light on the topic through expert presentations and debate giving delegates the information needed to effectively plan their future operations.

Confirmed Speakers

Chair
Professor Martin Fry CEng FEI, Visiting Professor of City University

Fifty years of Oil Depletion
Dr Roger Bentley MEI, Visiting Research Fellow, Department of Cybernetics,
University of Reading

Update on Global Oil Supply/Depletion
Chris Skrebowski FEI, Director, Peak Oil Consulting

UK policy review
Tom Wintle, International Energy Security, DECC

Impact of shale gas and other unconventionals
Dr Matt Ridley, The Global Warming Policy Foundation

Brief comment on current IEA and EIA positions
Chris Skrebowski FEI, Consulting Editor, Petroleum Review

Assesing the risk from a banking perspective
Alastair Lowe, Director – Oil and Gas, LloydsTSB

Financial and Economic Impact of Peak Oil
Nick Perry MEI, Perry Services Ltd

Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI)
Chris Jones FEI, URS Corporation

The Lost Barrels
Richard Shepherd, Petrologica

Update on International Energy standards
Professor Martin Fry CEng FEI, Visiting Professor of City University
(November 2011)
About the Energy Institute:

The Energy Institute (EI) is the professional body for the energy industry, delivering good practice and professionalism across the depth and breadth of the sector.

In a competitive world the modern professional body is a vital partner for any individual or organisation, whether as an individual, you want control of your career and the ability to influence your future, or as an organisation you want to take a leading role in the energy community and the advancement of industry knowledge.

A Royal Chartered membership organisation, the EI supports around 15,000 individuals and 250 companies across 100 countries, serving society with independence, professionalism and a wealth of expertise in energy matters. The EI is licensed by the Engineering Council (UK) to offer Chartered, Incorporated and Engineering Technician status to engineers, the Science Council to award Chartered Scientist status, and also licensed by the Society for the Environment to award Chartered Environmentalist status.

The purpose of the EI is to develop and disseminate knowledge, skills and good practice towards a safer, more secure and sustainable energy system. In fulfilling this purpose the EI addresses the depth and breadth of energy and the energy system, from upstream and downstream hydrocarbons and other primary fuels and renewables, to power generation, transmission and distribution to sustainable development, demand side management and energy efficiency.


N. American oil output could top 40-year-old peak

Tom Fowlder, Houston Chronicle
North America appears headed for an oil renaissance, with crude production expected to hit an all-time high by 2016, given the current pace of drilling in the U.S. and Canada, according to a study released by an energy research firm this week.

U.S. oil production in areas including West Texas’ Permian Basin, South Texas’ Eagle Ford shale, and North Dakota’s Bakken shale will record a rise of a little over 2 million barrels per day from 2010 to 2016, according to data compiled by Bentek Energy, a Colorado firm that tracks energy infrastructure and production projects.

Canadian crude production is expected to grow by 971,000 barrels per day during the same period, with much of the oil headed for the U.S.

Combined, the U.S. and Canadian oil output will top 11.5 million barrels per day, which is even more than their combined peak in 1972.

Goldman Sachs has estimated the U.S. could move from being the No. 3 oil producer behind Saudi Arabia and Russia to the No. 1 spot by 2017.

It’s a reversal of the steady downward production trend that started after 1971, when U.S. oil production peaked around 9.5 million barrels per day.
(17 November 2011)
Recommended by EB reader Jack C. who writes:

“Someone might want to comment on this partial vanquishing of the 1970 Hubbert U.S. production peak – by the year 2016. Of course, Bentek bets heavily on Canadian tar sands, and the term “North American” is broader
than the Hubbert U.S. model.

“Is this oil industry hype or reality?”


Peak oil and significant change for rural Australia

Donald Hugh Coventry, Rural Society
Abstract:
The peaking of world oil supply will have significant economic and social impacts for rural Australia. This paper looks at the peaking of world supply, the role of energy in our global industrial society and its use in agriculture. It further looks at replacement fuels and how we will be unable to sufficiently replace conventional oil in its role as a transport fuel or in our society as a key driver of our industrial economy.

It then considers Australia’s awareness, planning and policy responses and argues that this represents a critical risk management failure. It concludes by looking briefly at what this may mean for rural Australia and options for response that could build an economically and ecologically sustainable future for rural society.
(2011)

Donald Hugh Coventry
Convener Aust Assoc for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas, Remote & Rural Working Group, Gippsland VIC; Past Chief Exec Officer, Southern Gulf Catchments Ltd, Mount Isa QLD; Dept of Geography & Environmental Science, Monash University, Clayton VIC

Pay-to-view website. From the journal Rural Society, Volume: 20 Issue: 3 “Energy and rurality: Socio-historical perspectives on changing production and consumption”


Tags: Education, Energy Policy, Fossil Fuels, Oil