Bill W.

Winter's Coming for the Boomers: Part 2

James, you said:
" Peak oil does not mean we are running out. It means we are discovering less than we are extracting. The easily obtainable fuel has been obtained. Now we need to use tar sand, shale, and deep water wells. To even undertake those projects at a profit you need $100 oil or greater. Demand will grow. That is a given. Supply will not be able to keep up."

Thank you sir for responding. I take exception with your statement that the "The easily obtainable fuel has ben obtained". If memory serves, it took about 5 years to construct the Alaskan Pipeline. I'm sure if this nation had the political will, the oil in Anwar and the natural gas stored in the ground at the north slope of Alaska could be made available in 5 years or less. Again, if memory serves, the oil companies obtained the permits for "right-of-ways" for the natural gas pipeline when they got them for the oil pipeline. Whether they did or not does not really matter, the point being the Alaskan pipeline was built in remote areas, so obtaining permits will be no big deal.

I think what is really needed is a comprehensive energy plan, one that uses a mix of energy resources until such time that alternative energy can be phased in as our main energy source.

I do agree with your premise regarding energy that if things don't change, this country is looking at a very bleak future. That is why we need a different perspective on this issue.

James, please let me say that your writing style is enticing, you do make one think, and I thank you for that.

















On Jul 14 01:58 PM James Quinn wrote:

> Peak oil does not mean we are running out. It means we are discovering
> less than we are extracting. The easily obtainable fuel has been
> obtained. Now we need to use tar sand, shale, and deep water wells.
> To even undertake those projects at a profit you need $100 oil or
> greater. Demand will grow. That is a given. Supply will not be able
> to keep up.

Winter's Coming for the Boomers: Part 2

James, with all due respect, I must disagree with some of your premises regarding peak oil. Yes, we do in fact have a peak oil situation if, and it's a big IF if you believe the oil companies numbers. Why do I make such a statement? It's because I've learned to never discount my own experiences.

Let me explain. In 1975 and 1976, I was a Project Planning Engineer on working for Brown and Root at the North Slope on the Alaskan Pipeline Project. I helped plan and schedule the gathering units (the pipes running from the wellheads to pump station number one and the separation units, the purpose of the separation units was to separate the natural gas, water, and oil, the natural gas was injected back into the ground, water was discharged into Prudue Bay, and the oil was sent to Pump Station One.

While at the North Slope, I stayed at the BP Hilton, a facility that provided lodging. While there I got to know more than a few geologists from Standard Oil and BP. Anyway, one evening over a few beers I made the statement that the world was running out of natural gas and oil. Well I had these guys ROFLAO. They were amazed that I was that naive. They essentially told me that there is enough natural gas and oil to last the lower 48 states for the next 500 years.