Steeph

Het oh zo serieuze World Energy Council laat in haar laatste jaaroverzicht blijken inmiddels in te zien dat Peak Oil inderdaad staat te gebeuren. Om niet al te veel gezichtsverlies te lijden formuleren ze het nog wat voorzichtig, maar toch onmiskenbaar:

The evidence suggests that the Second Half of the Age of Oil is dawning and that it will be characterised by the decline of oil and all that depends on it. It is stressed that oil will not finally run out for very many years, if ever, but the onset of decline is inevitable, thanks to the resource limits of nature and the immutable physics of the reservoir. The timing of the peak currently attracts much debate, but is considered less important than the vision of the long decline that comes into view on its far side.

Alleen in de volgende quote laten ze blijken toch nog op een beetje roze wolk te zitten:

From a geological point of view, the remaining potential for conventional oil can provide for a moderate increase in oil consumption over the next 10 to 15 years. After that, an insufficient supply may be expected, owing to decreasing production when the depletion mid-point has been passed. Demand will then have to be met by other fuels. The percentage of oil production by the OPEC countries (especially in the Persian Gulf region) will increase for several decades to come.