The end of Peak Oil? Why this topic is still relevant despite recent denials

Chapman, Ian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9876-5874 (2014) The end of Peak Oil? Why this topic is still relevant despite recent denials. Energy Policy, 64 . pp. 93-101.

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Abstract

Up until recently Peak Oil was a major discussion point crossing from academic research into mainstream journalism, yet it now attracts far less interest. This paper evaluates the reasons for this and on-going relevance of Peak Oil, considering variations in predictive dates for the phenomenon supported by technological, economic and political issues. Using data from agencies, the validity of each position is assessed looking at reserves, industrial developments and alternative fuels. The complicating issue of demand is also considered. The conclusions are that, supported by commercial interests, an unsubstantiated belief in market and technical solutions, and a narrow paradigmatic focus, critics of Peak Oil theory have used unreliable reserve data, optimistic assumptions about utilisation of unconventional supplies and unrealistic predictions for alternative energy production to discredit the evidence that the resource-limited peak in the world's production of conventional oil has arrived, diverting discussion from what should be a serious topic for energy policy: how we respond to decreasing supplies of one of our most important energy sources.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Energy Policy
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0301-4215
Departments:	Academic Departments > Business, Law, Policing & Social Sciences (BLPSS) > Business
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2015 12:57
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 12:16
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/1708

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