History of Oil Production

From PeakoilWiki

Outline

Mans use of oil for industry and lighting cause increase in human activity, population growth and demand.

Animal fats were traditionally used for lighting and with increased lighting demands and improved recovery technology man looked to the oceans for whale oil.

Into the Ocean

Dependence on Whale Oil for lighting

Ocean mining for whale oil

Whale Oil shortages, whale expeditions going farther out

Whales on the Brink

Whales were getting closer to extinction and supplies getting tight. Man started looking for alternatives. Though whales have never recovered to their previous numbers, whales are not presently extinct.

Back to the land

Natural Oil Seeps investigated

Kerosene / Drake PA

Kerosene lamps become popular

US oil production starts

New combustion engines invented

Cars become popular and increase oil demand exponentially

Oil companies buy light rail and tear up tracks to increase oil consumption

Global oil production increases

Oil Giants discovered - Ghawar (Saudi Arabia)

US oil production peaked and started to decline

Ghawar watering out

Production declines in oil giants

Improved oil recovery technologies: Water injection, Gas injection

Global oil production probably peaked (reached maximum production then starts to decline)

2004

Oil production prices marching up past $20 per barrel

2008

Global energy supplies not meeting demand and oil prices more then quadrupling in just a few years. 

Oil over $100 per barrel and talk in economic circles of that price being too low. 

Back to the ocean

Deep water / deep oil

Greater pressure for alternative energy

Greater pressure for light rail and efficient transport

If unstable gas hydrate deposits become minable, no doubt we will be vacuuming it up from the ocean floors...

Tidal energy, with advancements in keeping barnacles off equipment the US might at some point be able to increase it's electricity production by up to 20% using this renewable resource.

Back to the the land

Alternative energy like solar and wind on land

Improved battery systems and flow batteries

Improved oil recovery technologies: Combustion, toe to heel air injection (thai)

Future: Varying estimates on peak production date

The unusual jump in reserve estimates in OPEC countries

The later downgrading of reserve estimates such as Kuwait cutting their reserve estimates by half, back to original estimates.

Shell cutting it's reserve estimates in half

Saudi Arabia announced they plan to keep oil in the ground for future generations.

Russia announced they have reached peak oil production.

Climate on the Brink

Global warming, CO2 and Man

Climate Change - Increased drought in instability in climate systems. More extreme weather.

Global Dimming - Soot in the air hiding global warming and cooling the oceans.

Ocean Acidification - The destruction of the oceans though CO2 absorption threatening all ocean life. (No going back to whale oil)