Peak Oil

Peak oil is the name applied to the theory that after half the world's oil has been drilled, oil prices will spiral out of control.

With demand for oil rising globally, particularly from China and India, the frenzied search for new oilfields has largely come up empty.

At the same time, many older fields have gone into decline, with more effort and finance put into producing less oil.

It is not known when peak oil will occur, with estimates ranging from next month to 2025. But many experts say it is not the date that matters, but rather what we do as we enter the decline of oil availability.

The main issue at stake is not so much concern over oil running out, but rather, that there will not be enough to keep oil-dependent economies — especially Australia's — functioning properly.

‘Peak Oil’ seminar 28 August

The City of Yarra was pleased to be able to hold the very popular ‘Peak Oil’ seminar on 28 August to discuss the implication of reduced oil availability and the ways that communities and governments can reduce their vulnerability.

The seminar included two key speakers Chris Skrebowski and Phil Hart (ASPO), followed by an opportunity to ask questions to the panel (the above speakers plus Elliot Fishman from the Institute of Sensible Transport).

More about the speakers and panel members (and their presentations/articles):

Chris Skrebowski - Editor Petroleum Review, Energy Institute:
Peak Oil -the emerging reality

Chris has spent his entire working career in the oil industry split roughly two-thirds as an oil journalist and one-third as a planner/market analyst within the industry.
He became editor of Petroleum Review in June 1997 having edited Petroleum Economist for the previous three years. Prior to that, he spent eight years working for the Saudis, as an oil market analyst in London. Chris started his working career in 1970 as a long-term planner for BP and then joined Petroleum Times as a journalist just before the first oil crisis of 1973/74. In the late 1970s he edited Offshore Services, an offshore oil magazine.

As one of the founder members of the ASPO (Association for the Study of Peak Oil) group, he has a great interest in oil depletion and its consequences. He is also a trustee on the board of ODAC (Oil Depletion Analysis Centre).  He has recently returned presenting a keynote address to the Fifth ASPO Peak Oil conference in Italy (see www.peakoil.net)

Chris has made a number of presentations on oil depletion over the last three years in Paris, London, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Dublin, Lisbon, Cologne, Denver and Geneva. In company with Dr Colin Campbell, founder of ASPO, he has made presentations to the UK and Irish governments.

Phil Hart – member of the Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (www.ASPO-Australia.org.au ):
The impact of Peak Oil on Melbourne

Phil Hart has spent the last five years working as engineer with Shell in the UK. Based in Aberdeen, the capital of the North Sea oil and gas industry, he worked on the high profile 'Goldeneye' project and later on maintenance and development for the Brent platforms.

Phil has studied the issue of 'peak oil' extensively for two years. He is now in a unique position to offer a coherent analysis of the conflicting forecasts for future oil supply, backed by a technical appreciation of the engineering constraints and possibilities.

Elliot Fishman – Director of Institute for Sensible Transport:
Elliot Fishman Article

Elliot has been a lead advocate on the relationship between Peak Oil and transport. He has presented both internationally and around Australia since the beginning of our current price spike. He acted as Expert Witness on Canberra’s Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Fuel Supply and Alternatives in May, 2006.

He was written numerous articles for The Age and the Herald Sun on Peak Oil and how it will affect our society. Elliot has a particular focus on the social ramifications of Peak Oil in our auto dependent cities. The Victorian Council for Social Services have asked him to speak at their Annual Congress on the social impact of peak oil on vulnerable communities.

The impact of Peak Oil on Melbourne Phil Hart
Peak Oil -the emerging reality Chris Skrebowski
Elliot Fishman Article

 

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Further information

Sustainable Transport
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5373
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
Public Transport
Carsharing

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)

TravelSmart
Metropolitan Transport Forum
Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil: http://www.aspo-australia.org.au/
Energy Bulletin, article by Elliot Fishman: http://www.energybulletin.net/16575.html
General Information on Oil from Future Energy: http://www.futureenergy.org/infopolluting.html#oil
4 Corners Special on Peak Oil: http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20060710/default_full.htm
Institute for Sensible Transport: www.sensibletransport.org.au

Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214 - 20 January 2006

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