Apparently America still doesn't get it

Reserve it for what? How long has the combustion engine been a practical part of life, and who is naive enough to think there won't be technology in 300 years to make it obsolete?

 

300 years is a bloated estimate to begin with. But even assuming that to be accurate, oil is used in many more things than just gas. And technology doesn't just appear out of the air. It is engineered usually because of a need. The longer there is no need to improve efficiency or to change basis of fuel, there will be less innovation and less new technology.

This is the same sort of attitude that brought you "just pray for it". No need to change or do anything, it will all work out in the end...

 

That link isn't working for me. Can you post some more details sitruc.

I know wikipedia isn't always the most reliable source, but when I add both the proven and estimated undiscovered oil reserves from the linked wiki article I still get less than 20 years of US oil supply.

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves_in_the_United_States]Oil reserves in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

 

http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/forecast/archive/The_U.S._s_Untapped_Bounty_080630.html fixed it in other post also.

 

Actually it is conservative. Many industry articles estimate it to be much higher, but I wouldn't use them as they could be perceived to be biased. Popular misconception is that everyone involved in the industry encourages waste and unfettered consumption, but that is far from current reality. Obviously I drive a prius, and it doesn't raise an eyebrow in my circles.

 

If we burn it up, what will we use for lubrication? Future generations will curse us for burning it.

 

Loaded with misguided information.

The kerogen in the US (and around the world) is not a solution. It is expensive to get anything out of, using quite a lot more energy to extract than it will provide.

And the best part is to get it, you must remove a massive amount of rock. It isn't like there is some rock pile hidden in the mountains here, IT IS THE MOUNTAIN. If you want to see what mining like this does to a mountain I will see if I can find a picture of what our entire town has to see everyday. Beautiful Mountains with trees except for one spot that was used for mining many centuries ago that is flat and barren. The "scar" as we call it is a grim reminder to anyone who thinks this is an idea.

Canadian tar sands? Yes there is lots of oil, but it is not in the US and it is pricey both environmentally and economically.

 

The region has become unstable and unsafe with many landslides. Wildlife and forestation is all gone. The trees that grow on a mountain take a very long time to grow back, it is a harsh condition.

 

The US DOE says 20 billion barrels reserve as of 2009, and consumption is about 20 million barrels a day. 300 years ? Try 1000 days.

 

I thought we were closer to 15 millions barrels a day? Either way, that really doesn't help us in the long run.

It's funny, people don't care about burning off all of the oil, but they complain about the national debt. So, in 30 years, when I'm 60, we may or may not have actually declared bankruptcy, but I won't have any oil left to burn, or it'll be probably $20/gallon.

Thanks....so glad everyone cares about future generations.....

 

Not Canadian tar sands, tar sands that we have here. Directional drilling overcomes "the mountain", and extraction techniques using geothermal methods are getting closer every day. There are ways of drilling and mining that do not have to "rape" the land, but unscrupulous incidents of the past, are hard to forgive/forget, nor should they be. Exactly the responses I expected, as this is probably as closed minded a group regarding this issue, as one could find. However, there are many of us still working toward providing supply, in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, in spite of the poor misuses of the past. Stereotypes of roughnecks in days gone by, are hard to forget, but the industry in this country has changed for the better, both through a better educated work force, and more enlightened and conscientious regulatory agencies.

 

Those figures are from already tapped fields/wells.

 

^^ Reference ?

 

Anyone who talks about how much oil we have 'at today's consumption rate' has no credibility in my eyes. Our (world) use of oil is growing not only due to population increases but also on a per capita basis. Look up exponential growth curves.

 

Oil: Crude and Petroleum Products - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy says 18.7 million barrels/day. We were above 20 million barrels/day when the economy was better.

 

I got it back in 1977. In 1973 at the first oil shock, I remember getting in line at the local gas station at 5am hoping that there will still be gas for me to get to work when they open at 6 am. I was driving a 1973 Pontiac boat that was getting me 8 to 10 miles per gallon. Gas was 34 cents a gallon so filling up wasn't that bad. I think the tank held 26 gallons so I filled up for less that 10 bucks.
the 2nd oil shock in 1977 was the eye opener. Not only were the long lines back at the gas station but gas shot up to 70 cents a gallon and it was being rationed by odd/even days depending on your plates. Many stations were limiting you to only 10 gallons. I got rid of the Pontiac land barge and bought a Chevette. I was getting around 25 - 30 mpg with the Chevy and the car was pretty dependable. I never went back to big cars after the 2nd oil shock. Cars I have owned since then were the Chevy Chevette, an MGB roadster 2 honda accords, a corolla and a civic. I now own 2 Prii. A 2010 II and a 2010 IV. (My wife drives the II)Both are fine automobiles. A much higher quality than the small cars I had driven before. If our oil supplies are cut off by the middle east, the gas lines and rationing will return. That is when America will wake up.

 

The OP might get a kick out of http://priuschat.com/forums/other-c...fuel-economy-standards-50-mpg-poll-finds.html. You know... we have plenty of choices of vehicles that are good on gas mileage. There's no need to wait for the government to do anything. People can make better choices.

Heh, your story would make a great addition to http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/90757-remembering-1973-oil-crisis-2.html.

I wasn't born yet for the 73 crisis and only had vague memories of the odd/even, flag system in the 2nd one. The crazy part is that America did wake up for those two crises but yet they've either forgotten, don't care and/or replaced by people who weren't born yet.

Maybe that was part of my parents' motivation for buying a 1980 Chevette back then? It was a POS though. It was noisy, couldn't turn, couldn't stop and couldn't accelerate besides but of lousy interior quality.

I'm sure if it happens again, America will wake up. Question is, will there be the political will to do something, again and will it stick?

Side note: I was at a fast food joint today and one of my pet peeves is when monstrosity class SUVs (in this case, a Suburban w/driver + 1 passenger) get in line at the drive through. UGH! There were other cars in front of them too. It was the daytime so the dining area and lobby were still open.

I absolutely avoid drive thrus when driving my non-hybrid unless the lobby is closed.

 

america 'got it' after 9/11 as well. for a few weeks, then, it was back to bau.