Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
The life and times of Col. Edwin Drake, who drilled the world’s first commercial oil well near Titusville, PA in 1859. It is not overstating the case to say that the seed of the modern world, so dependent as it is upon energy and materials derived from petroleum, was planted by Col. Drake.
Early days in the oil fields: wildcatters, investment fever and dead horses
Wildcatting and exploration in the Canadian Maritimes — how an oil geologist and investor sees the landscape.
Strongly reasoned case put for biofuels as the solution to decline of fossil oil supply. Dr Chia (cardiologist) calmly lays out the Hubbert/depletionists case, dismisses any central role for nuclear energy, and goes on to advocate bioengineered phyto-fuels (for biodiesel etc) and the development of artificial photosynthesis.
The Community Solution examines the impact of Peak Oil on the world economic structure, one built on the confidence in ever-expanding markets fueled by technology, itself fueled by oil.
UK: The humble bicycle has won a national survey of people’s favourite inventions conducted by the BBC.
An interesting proposal for an ‘atmospheric vortex engine’, a variation on the solar chimney concept for channeling solar energy as wind to drive a generator.
Abdullah al-Saif, Aramco’s senior vice president for exploration and production, was quoted in the March 14 edition of the Daily Star about future oil production projects in Saudi Arabia. Let us take a look at the projects he named in more detail.
Thought-provoking comments from an alert Newfoundland reader, following on from the ‘methane-burps’ fears covered previously. Could suitably placed wind turbines reduce climate mixing, slow the warming of arctic regions, and so avoid catastrophic methane emissions from thawing tundra?
Startling press release regarding a recently completed study of oil peak responses. Full report not yet received, but apparently claims all alternatives are incapable of meeting demand in the short term and argues that efficiency measures and drastic scaling up of production of substitute fuels is required.
Methane generated by rotting rubbish in landfill dumps could make a far greater contribution to the world’s energy supply. A new way of harvesting the gas should mean that many landfill dumps that till now were thought to be too small to produce usable amounts of the gas will be able to provide a viable supply.
Any currency that can maintain its value among its users can function. Historically, many alternative, or local, currencies have worked and many still do.
