The principal challenge of this century, in my view, will be adapting to a life without abundant, cheap fossil fuels. It has been the lifeblood of our society, and turns out to […]
The energy-water nexus Part I
When talking power production, we can’t ignore the water factor
t’s often forgotten when talking about energy production that environmental impacts stretch far beyond air pollution and emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. Less discussed, particularly in the context of electricity generation, is […]
How Much Renewable Potential Does the US Have?
The newest estimates of U.S. technical potential for renewable energy generation and capacity were reported recently by scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the U.S. Department of Energy research facility. […]
Don’t Count on Revolution in Oil Supply
*** Editors Note: One of the most thoughtful and profound articles written recently – particularly coming from an Aramco executive*** Leonardo Maugeri’s recent paper Oil: The Next Revolution on the presumed future […]
Shale Gas Assets – Overpriced Or a Liquid Turn for Mining Giant BHP?
Australian mining giant BHP has lost a quarter of its former market capitalization since its acquisition of US shale acreage from Petrohawk and Chesapeake last year. The company is keen to point […]
China’s Coal to Chemical Future
In this post, I give an overview of developments in China to create a coal to chemicals industry, primarily using methanol as an intermediary feedstock. In doing this research, to my surprise, […]
The Coming Food Crisis: Blame Ethanol?
A series of spikes in global food prices resulted in riots in 2008 and contributed to violent uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East in 2011. The culprit is a matter […]
Rare Earth Metals
Rare Earth Metals | The Big Picture.
Woody Agriculture – On the Road to a New Paradigm
Most Oil Drum readers will be familiar with the Land Institute’s work and hopes for a perennial agriculture based on future domestication of wild perennial prairie grasses. The Land Institute is a […]
Spot natural gas prices at Marcellus trading point reflect pipeline constraints
Daily natural gas spot prices between Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) Zone 4 Marcellus and Henry Hub have diverged recently largely due to rising Marcellus production, which has outpaced the growth of available […]
