What is the world going to do when the oil supply runs out? Will there be enough renewable energy to go around? Will World War 3 breakout? Will it be a case of Mad Max?
Earliest credible estimates for this to happen average out at around 2056. But this estimate does not include unconventional oil resources like tar sands and oil shales that require extra processing. These additional resources add another 500 years of oil supply at current consumption rates. Improved technologies will be developed to extract the petroleum from these resources and they will become cost effective when the price of oil hits a certain level. So it's not so much as 'when it runs out' but more of 'how much will we have to pay' question. Also we should factor in coal reserves which far exceed oil reserves and can be used quite cheaply in power stations. - Michael
Well Weirfire, you'll be fucked for sure... It'll be freezing up there Let's all move in with Anthony in Florida or Shawn in California. Us internetteers should be OK since we don't rely on transport that much. As long as electricity is covered by renewable energy, we'll be fine for a while. But by the time this becomes fact, I'm sure there'll be some increased pressure on the American government and military to release their energy creating secrets. Increased demand in alternatives will also push new innovation so I'm not worried at all.
I'm not so worried about the moment that last drop is sucked from the fields. It's the years before that worry me, and the shit that people will do to other people to ensure that their society has an ongoing supply of the finite resource so much of society is dependent on. The oil's not the problem. A culture that appears to believe in infinite growth from finite resources is.
A great flash of light, you will not have to worry about oil prices at that point, because that flash of light will be the last thing you shall see because of this fight over oil. What is that flash of light? WW3, the big one, I always knew that I was a flash in the pan. God have mercy son.
We've done this before at the post... "The New Oil Crisis" See http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/ for an insight into what is predicted... I'll be hoping for the best yet preparing for the worst. So if everything works out OK, then fine. But if it does all go pear-shaped I'll be ready to handle it. Mad Max world here we come...
The only way you are going to be ready to handle it Lever is to get ready to meet your maker my man....... At least he is good, don't trust others, they just want your money.
Before the oil runs out; we'd obviously have warning signs from the sources IE wells collapsing or stop being able to produce their usual quantities. I think the 50 year time limit is understated. I think there are virtually unlimited amounts of oil in places that are unable to be reached right now cuz of technological problems. But, I really dont want to continue using oil for that long. I'd prefer we develop something that is more sustainable, easily producable and cheap. Hydrogen would be a good idea. So would more nuke plants (what ever happened to the concept of a fusion nuke reactor?). Or electricity. I've said it before - the energy in 1 bolt of lightning is enough to power a city for a week (or something like that). Why can't we harness it/store it/control it? Where is the x-prize for that? The quicker we don't use oil, the quicker we can give the old birdy to the whack jobs in the middle east and let them blow themselves up without us having to care anymore.
Anthony, we could into a theological debate here about meeting makers, so I will say for now that I will be ready for the decline of western civilisation part 3, dude. I may be deskbound now (and a nice desk it is too) but all those practical skills will kick back into action when I have to run to the hills... Lorien1973 - glad you bought up the point on nuclear fusion. It's a riskier process than fission but cleaner and more efficient. Why don't they teach kids how to make fusion reactors at school
What about the possbillities of cold fusion technology and water powered energy sources. I mean, aren't BMW producing cars that separate the hydrogen molecules in water and using them for combustive energy? So we have a water powered car, why not water powered energy plant?
We will not run out of oil in our lifetime there is more oil in North America in the form of shale than was ever in the middle east. The middle east will probably run out in the next 20-25 years that will be intresting.
Well why dont we mind that then. Why are we trying to hard to maintain a good relationsihp with the middle east if we have our own oil. Because if thats true, this war is pointless.
*Shifting the power balance -almost every life form on earth depended for its existence on energy fresh from the sun, on the 'solar income' arriving daily from outer space or temporarily stored in living things. *The use of Earth's solar panels and Stored energy
When the Oil runs out people will necro 7 year old threads . Also in the EU we'll have fusion plants , electric vehicles & biodiesel . I'll be running on ethanol fuel just like Uncle Enzo used to make .
I have heard about John Kanzius' "Salt Water as fuel". According to him, his radio frequency generator could release oxygen and hydrogen from saltwater and create an incredibly intense flame. if this idea works. there will be no need to worry about that "What will happen when oil runs out". after all we have plenty of salt water in earth don't we
I don't think there is anything to do with us. For it won't happen while we are alive. As for the result, I think nothing is impossible. It might be lead to world war 3 or die out of the earth, or people find other succedaneum. On the other hand, the earth might be come to the end before run out of oil if we don't protect the environment.