Beyond Oil: The View from Hubbert's Peak

Interesting topic, but bit of a sleeper. Too much info on the history and production of different energy sources. Not enough "what happens when it's gone" questions.

Not quite what I expected but enjoyed it anyways. I was expecting a lot of discussion about the peak oil theory. In general, the peak oil theory states that conventional oil, like other natural resources will reach a point of peak production in which it is no longer possible to increase production. Production will eventually decline and no amount of money will solve the problem. ...more

Not quite what I expected but enjoyed it anyways. I was expecting a lot of discussion about the peak oil theory. In general, the peak oil theory states that conventional oil, like other natural resources will reach a point of peak production in which it is no longer possible to increase production. Production will eventually decline and no amount of money will solve the problem. Additional investment and technology can put off the time of the peak, but cannot eliminate it. After the peak, additional energy must come from other sources. The peak oil debate is not so much a question about whether there will be a peak, but when it will be. Some believe it is very soon or has happened already. Last year's run up in oil prices brought this topic to the mainsteam debate. There was only one chapter on his updating of his mentor's (M King Hubbert) work in this area. One chapter talked about how oil was formed, the conditions that are necessary to have oil instead of natural gas and how you get it out. The rest of the book dealt with alternatives to oil such as tar sands, natural gas, nuclear, and hydrogen. He did a decent job of being fair about the relative challenges of each. Reading this made me realize again what an awesome natural resource oil is and how different things will be when we are eventually forced to switch fuels.   hide

important and smart.

Very good. Deffeyes gives a solid foundation in deriving the peak of oil production and then goes on to review alternative sources of hydrocarbon and non hydrocarbon fules. Being a geologist, all of the energy sources he discusses are extractive. Aside from a quick dive into hydrogen, he has left all of the naturaly derived sources for others to hash out.