ASPO-USA Asks: "What Are We Missing?" – Part 2
(Note: Commentaries do not necessarily represent the position of ASPO-USA.) There are so many challenges facing us as a result of Peak Oil and related issues that it is easy
Continue ReadingReview May 30, 2011
Download Full PDF 1. Oil and the Global Economy Oil prices fell last Monday, at one point falling below $97 a barrel in NY as the dollar rose to a
Continue ReadingJohn Miles, Chairman, UK Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security
“We must define the risks and develop sensible contingency plans. This means thinking critically about what we should be doing now if we knew that the oil price would soar
Continue ReadingHigh Honors for ASPO-USA Chief Editor Tom Whipple
Many peak oil watchers know Tom Whipple as the chief editor and irresistible force behind ASPO-USA’s flagship publications Peak Oil News and Peak Oil Review, which reach subscribers around the
Continue Reading2011 Conference to Return to Nation's Capital
Building on its 2010 debut in Washington DC, the 2011 ASPO-USA Peak Oil & Energy Conference will return to the nation’s capital November 2-5. ASPO-USA will continue to use the
Continue ReadingASPO 9 Highlights European Perspectives on Peak Oil and Energy
Advisory Board members at ASPO-9 (L-R): Colin Campbell, Chris Skrebowski, Jeff Rubin Experts from across Europe and around the world gathered in late April for the 9th International Peak Oil
Continue ReadingFriends & Partners Reception, June 11, Washington DC
In conjunction with our Board of Directors meeting, and to kick off ASPO-USA’s move to the nation’s capital, we are hosting an informal reception for friends and partners, Saturday, June 11,
Continue ReadingErnst U. von Weizsacker, co-chair, UNEP Resource Panel
“We must realize that prosperity and well-being do not depend on consuming ever-greater quantities of resources. Decoupling is not about stopping growth. It’s about doing more with less.”
Continue ReadingASPO-USA Asks: "What Are We Missing?" – Part 1
There are so many challenges facing us as a result of Peak Oil and related issues that it is easy to miss something important. ASPO-USA asked more than 50 leaders on Peak Oil to share what they felt was the most critical issue we’ve all been missing, the thing every one of us should be talking about – but aren’t. The answers were eye-opening, and have started a discussion that continues. Over the next three weeks, in place of a traditional commentary, Peak Oil Review will run a range of perspectives on this issue – from geologists to food experts, from social critics to scientists – what are we missing? Where should we be putting more attention, more resources? All of us miss things – but between so many working minds, we have a better chance of covering the expansive ground that we have to address. We thank all of our contributors for expanding our vision!
Continue ReadingReview May 23, 2011
Download Full PDF 1. Oil and the Global Economy Oil prices hovered just below $100 a barrel last week as a weaker euro, falling US demand for gasoline, and weaker
Continue ReadingUS President Barack Obama
“I am directing the Department of Interior to conduct annual lease sales in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while respecting sensitive areas, and to speed up the evaluation of oil and
Continue ReadingUS Oil & Gas Industry Shoots Itself in the Foot
As Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
I think that a large portion of the US oil & gas industry has basically shot itself in the foot, by agreeing with, or failing to confront, assertions such as the following by CERA, ExxonMobil and OPEC:
CERA: “Rather than a ‘peak,’ we should expect an ‘undulating plateau’ perhaps three or four decades from now.”
Robert Esser, Senior Consultant and Director, Global Oil and Gas Resources Cambridge Energy Research Associates
December 7, 2005
Review May 16, 2011
Download Full PDF 1. Oil and the Global Economy It was a volatile week with oil trading between $104 and $95 a barrel before closing the week at $99.65. In
Continue ReadingEIA Administrator Richard Newell
“The lower FY 2011 funding level will require significant cuts in EIA’s data, analysis and forecasting activities.”
Continue ReadingReview May 9, 2011
Download Full PDF 1. Oil and the Global Economy The death of Osama Ben Laden triggered a selloff in the oil markets which lasted all week. Closing out the previous
Continue ReadingA Case Study of Cellulosic Ethanol
The March 28, 2011 edition of the ASPO-USA Peak Oil Review had a brief which I found of considerable interest. It stated:
A perspective paper in Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology makes a case that conversion of biomass to cellulosic ethanol is the most efficient and productive use of biomass to create a high-octane, environmentally friendly transportation fuel. (3/23, #17)
I found it to be of considerable interest because there is a proposal to build a commercial cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan not far from where I live.
Based upon information provided by the corporation proposing the biorefinery, Frontier Renewable Resources LLC, owned by Mascoma Corporation and J.M. Longyear, I would not consider cellulosic ethanol to be efficient from an energy perspective.
Continue ReadingFatih Birol, IEA chief economist
“We are in the danger zone now with prices and how the economy is responding.”
Continue ReadingReview May 2, 2011
Download Full PDF 1. Oil and the Global Economy Oil prices moved up steadily last week with NY futures closing at $113.93, the highest level since mid-July 2008. In London,
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