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Introductions to Peak Oil

Peak Oil probably occurred in summer 2008, though its exact timing doesn't matter: we're at the peak on the graph shown below, and future oil supplies will be more difficult to obtain; the expense will continue to undercut resuscitation of the global economy.



Not familiar with Peak Oil? Trying to get your mind around it? Trying to help someone else do so? Try one or more of these online sources, and see the links at Key Books & Sites and Other Sites.

Peak Energy, Peak Oil, and the Collapse of Global Civilization: A large (15 Mb) PDF by Tariel Morrigan (Oct 2010) with ample references and a clean layout. First half is an excellent, detailed analysis of Peak Oil—much more detailed than the overviews below. Recommended.

Peak Oil overview: Gail Tverberg, The Oil Drum (July 2009). Recommended.

Peak Oil / Economics overview: Gail Tverberg, The Oil Drum (Nov 2009). Recommended.

Peak Oil introduction: Nate Hagens, The Oil Drum (March 2007)

Peak Oil Reference: Chris Nelder, on the ASPO web site. No date; updated periodically.

Peak Oil for Dummies: Lionel Badal, Seeking Alpha (Aug 2009). Recommended.

Peak Oil intro, plus discussion of alternative fuels: Robert Rapier (May 2006)

Hirsch Report: Summary (PDF) by Robert Hirsch in the Bulletin of the Atlantic Council (2005)

Peak Oil primer (Energy Bulletin)

Peak Oil beginner's guide (Wolf at the Door)

Peak Oil media guide: Chris Nelder, The Oil Drum (July 2008). Recommended.

"Mind-sized" Hubbert: Ugo Bardi, TOD (Sept 2009). Clear, non-technical discussion of peak oil curves, including whale oil and Hubbert's treatment of petroleum. Good discussion, too.


Peak Oil denial still gets press coverage:

Peak Oil denial: Michael Lynch, NYTimes Opinion (Aug 2009)

Peak Oil denial: Daniel Yergin, Foreign Policy (Aug 2009)

Energy analyst Matt Simmons trashes Lynch, Yergin, and other recent Peak Oil denials.

Michael Lynch, Daniel Yergin: Denizens of Peak Oil Denial: Brief, pointed rebuttal of Lynch and Yergin (Randy Udall, ASPO, Aug 2009).

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