Largely about access

Abstract: It is sometimes held that U.S. motivations in Iraq and the Persian Gulf, while indeed “largely about oil” (in the well-publicized words of Alan Greenspan), are not (or at least not much) “about access” to the region’s oil per se. This essay critically examines that claim, arguing that the current U.S. resort to force cannot really be understood without regard to the current precariousness of U.S. energy supplies.

Peak oil, prices – Jan 14

Slight majority Of U.S. energy CFOs disagree that world has reached peak oil
60 Minutes on oil: did anyone verify anything?
What 60 Minutes missed on oil speculation
Jim Rogers sees oil at US$200 as world is running out of reserves

Mayo Energy Audit (review)

Ever since I read the Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan I realised that the next step would be a detailed accounting of energy consumption for a town or region, and an analysis of potential local renewable supplies. The Mayo Energy Audit does all this and more and represents an important next step in the energy descent process for County Mayo in the West of Ireland.

Will energy show us that inflation and deflation can occur at the same time?

At the beginning of this decade investment advisor Marc Faber told incredulous investors that rising economic prosperity in Asia signalled the beginning of a new bull market in commodities, but would also have deflationary consequences for consumer prices. How could these inflationary and deflationary effects coincide? The answer has important implications for what is currently unfolding in the financial and commodity markets, and, in particular, the energy markets.

Peak oil – Jan 10

Fatih Birol speaks on IEA report, financial crisis, coal, depletion
Congressman Buyer writes Obama: “America must take steps to prepare for peak oil”
Michael Klare: Oil 2009 – Be careful what you wish for
Oil price volatility and economic chaos