The Oil Drum

On Wednesday 7th November 2007 the mainstream 10:30pm ITV news in the UK discusses the "peak oil" documentary Crude Awakening, hears the IEA warning of much higher oil prices, shows how many countries have already peaked and speaks to David Strahan (lastoilshock.com).

In the UK, today's coverage has been driven by the psychological £1 per litre being crossed for the first time (BBC News). Crossing the other threshold of $100 oil, will likely drive further peak oil discussions in the mainstream.

Just yesterday Euan highlighted recent coverage of Peak Oil in the Mainstream Business Press.

Also see: A Tuppence Extra? for more on the UK petrol pricing.

Earlier this year two books were published, The Last Oil Shock by David Strahan and The Battle for Barrels by Duncan Clarke. Both books address the question of future oil supplies but came to dramatically differing conclusions; Strahan arguing global oil production will soon peak and go into terminal decline, Clarke highlighting complexities concerning the evaluation of how much oil remains, historical mistakes in production forecasting and suggesting a more abundant view of our energy future.

The Last Oil Shock and The Battle For Barrels

Last month David Strahan published an open letter to Duncan Clarke, which we discussed here. Duncan Clark has been good enough to respond to Strahan with an open letter we are able to publish today. Full text below the fold.

This is a guest article by David Strahan, author of The Last Oil Shock.

In a widely viewed You Tube clip, taken from a C-Span interview conducted in 1994, Dick Cheney argues persuasively that the United States was right not to topple Saddam Hussein during the first Gulf War. He cites the potential disintegration of the country and the risk of American casualties as good reasons for the decision not to take Baghdad. So what was it that changed his mind by the turn of the century? An acute awareness of impending peak oil.

Earlier this year two books were published, The Last Oil Shock by David Strahan and The Battle for Barrels by Duncan Clarke. Both books address the question of future oil supplies but came to dramatically differing conclusions; Strahan arguing global oil production will soon peak and go into terminal decline, Clarke highlighting complexities concerning the evaluation of how much oil remains, historical mistakes in production forecasting and suggesting a more abundant view of our energy future.

The Last Oil Shock and The Battle For Barrels

David Strahan has today published an open letter to Duncan Clarke, full text below the fold.

First up, if you have not listened to it yet, you really must listen to this interview by George Kenney of Electric Politics interviewing David Strahan, author of The Last Oil Shock (70 mins). (Mr Strahan kindly mentions The Oil Drum.) (link to interview), (link to David Strahan's book site)

Next up, Jim Jubak is senior markets editor for MSN Money. He's talking about peak oil in a surprisingly lucid way...(good catch Khebab!) [Editor's note from Super G] YouTube link moved below the fold to speed page load times.

Under the fold, a CNBC ethanol discussion and a link to Richard Heinberg's latest.

This is a review done by Mick Winter of drydipstick.com of The Last Oil Shock by David Strahan.

Author: David Strahan
ISBN: 978-0-7195-6423-9
2007, John Murray - U.K.

The last thing I needed to do was read yet another book about Peak Oil. I've been reading extensively about it since 2003. But I promised the publisher I would read it. So I finally did.

I'm glad I carried out my promise.

British Member of Parliament George Galloway interviews David Strahan, award-winning investigative journalist, documentary film-maker and author of the 2007 book “The Last Oil Shock – A Survival Guide to the Imminent Extinction of Petroleum Man”.

Interview broadcast 26th June 2007.

Here is Strahan's article in the Guardian: The real casus belli: peak oil

Strahan’s website: www.lastoilshock.com