What is Peak oil?
"The term Peak Oil refers to the maximum rate of the production of oil in any area under consideration, recognising that it is a finite natural resource, subject to depletion."
--Colin Campbell
Dr Colin Campbell
Colin Campbell has over 40 years of experience in the oil industry. He earned a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Oxford in 1957, and has worked as a petroleum geologist in the field, as a manager, and as a consultant.
He has been employed by Oxford University, Texaco, British Petroleum, Amoco, Shenandoah Oil, Norsk Hydro, and Fina, and has worked with the Bulgarian and Swedish governments. His writing credits include two books and more than 150 papers.
Colin: "Understanding depletion is simple. Think of an Irish pub. The glass starts full and ends empty. There are only so many more drinks to closing time. It’s the same with oil. We have to find the bar before we can drink what’s in it.
Questions answered
On December 18, 2002, Global Public Media visited Colin Campbell in Ballydehob, Irland. The following questions was answered by Dr. Cambell (click to listen):
- "What Is the Significance of 'Peak' Oil?"
- "How Does Oil Discovery Relate to Depletion?"
- "Why Don't We Know More About the Coming Oil Crisis?"
- "What Does Back-Dating the Reserves Mean, and Why Is It So Important?"
- "How Are the Oil Companies Reacting to Depletion?"
- "How Have Governments Reacted?"
- "What Is the Role of Economics in Hastening Oil Depletion?"
