Couldn't agree more with you OIL CEO but Russian reserves and their production levels are conflated--one can't post about the one without posting about the other. They are the 2nd biggest producer in the world. Since Westexas has thrown out the gauntlet and says that they are about to crash big time soon--this means that non-OPEC production is crashing soon--I find it necessary to do the post. I would not talk about their reserves without also talking about their near-term (next 5 years to 10 years) production capabilities and beyond.

Even ExxonMobil admits a non-OPEC peak by 2010. Russia represents almost 20% of that daily production. We all really need to get as clear as possible about this. It affects the peak in a big way. It has an effect on Stuart's "long slow squeeze". It is the most important question affecting near-term peak oil conditions I know of (outside the possibility that Saudi Arabian production just might crash as in Matt Simmons' predictions). I believe as of now that their production capabilities are hampered by internal political & economic policies although their actual URR may be quite robust. But this is a different question than saying that they simply have little recoverable oil to produce--which is the position Westexas has taken.

I do appreciate your concerns.

best, Dave