The Oil Drum: Europe | Do they have a 'responsibility' to supply us?

93 comments on Do they have a 'responsibility' to supply us?

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Alfred on May 10, 2007 - 4:56pm

I sent the FT the letter below. I don't know whether they will publish it though:

Sir,

Over the past 2 years you have been kind enough to publish 5 of my letters regarding the oil supply situation - I concentrated on the geological constraints. The recent report by PFC Energy (FT May 10) highlighted the political risks and downplayed the points I raised.

To claim that the North Sea and Alaska are "maturing" when they are extracting far below their peak outputs (-20% and -60%) is more than a matter of semantics. Saudia Arabia, despite a vast increase in drilling activity, is a declining producer - their claimed "capacity" and actual production have been diverging for some time. Indeed, if they did have this spare "capacity", why did Mr. Cheyney not publicly ask them to use it during his recent visit to Riyadh? Does he know something that we should be aware of?

I can only conclude that this report is another effort to blame oil-producers for either having inconvenient geologies or depletion strategies that do not match our non-negotiable lifestyle. The solution these reports seem to be leading to is that Western Oil companies should be given a free hand in these regions - so that their depletion rates match ours.

Perhaps it is now time to let the public know that there are difficult choices to be made and that the US cavalry has already shot its bolt.

Sincerely,

Alfred Nassim
25 Ashey Road
Ryde
Isle of Wight
PO33 2UW

(01983) 616322

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Gene on May 10, 2007 - 6:19pm

Of course they have no responsibility to sell us oil. The simple asking of the question, however, tells me that we are very close to admitting that we are not as civilized as we think we are.

Wars have been waged for resources in the past, and I see no reason why it should be any different now. Some folks need to get a grip on reality. If someone has something you need desperately enough, and they are unwilling to trade for it, then the only recourse left is to try to take it. That's not unique to this country or this century. It's the way we are, bleeding hearts notwithstanding.

Say howdy to your reptile brain.

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