Michael Vickerman

Aubrey McClendon’s natural gas smoke screen

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The key questions about the actual size of North America’s natural gas resource remain unresolved. And, concerns about the possible rate of production from unconventional sources such as shale gas loom large. Until these are addressed more convincingly, North American policymakers would be advised to look upon McClendon’s proposals with skepticism and to plan prudently for a less than rosy natural gas future.

United States & Canada – Oct 6

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NYT’s Friedman discusses solutions to world’s climate, energy, and population problems (video & transcript)
Politics of drilling, financial bailout heading into elections (video & transcript)
Fukuyama: The Fall of America, Inc.
Ok, Now What?
Atlanta Q&A: Why gasoline supplies went south

Peak Oil Review – Oct 6

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An executive summary of weekly news from a US peak oil perspective, featuring:
– Prices and the bailout
– Gasoline shortages
– China
– India
– Trouble in Detroit

In defense of the family farm

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I have in mind… the one example known to me of an American community of small family farmers who have not only survived but thrived during some very difficult years: I mean the Amish. I do not recommend, of course, that all farmers should become Amish, nor do I want to suggest that the Amish are perfect people or that their way of life is perfect. What I want to recommend are some Amish principles

Peak oil, bailout bunk, and the coming recession

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If, as seems likely, the omnibus financial bailout does little good and the world goes into a prolonged recession, then we probably are on the peak/plateau of world oil production right now. Demand will drop, production will be slowed, and new multi-billion dollar oil projects that are not already well underway will be delayed or cancelled due to lack of demand or capital to pay for them.

The sad tale of a boring banker in exuberant times… and after

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This time, the Masters of the Universe have blown up so spectacularly that they are taking down not just their own mindless activities, but also the whole banks with them, leaving no money for normal lending activity. And here I am, the sorry worker of a bank … having been told that I should tell my clients that there is no money for them for the rest of the year. No money for wind farms.