Peak Oil Crisis By: Eileen McLaughlin

Two Main Points Hubbert’s Peak and the declining oil resources The options that may be used for alternative energy resources

History of Oil In the 1950’s, U.S. was the world’s leading producer of oil. People did not care to think about the future. One man, Marion King Hubbert, changed this perspective and created a theory that oil production would peak very soon.

Hubbert’s Peak M. King Hubbert predicted that the rate and speed at which the oil is being produced by the United States would peak around 1970 and it would decline much more rapidly after the peak. There are three methods in which he came to this theory.

Hubbert’s Peak 1. Chances of finding oil. 2. If plotted, bell- shaped curve. 3. Oil pumped vs. oil produced.

Criticism/ Praise Many rejected his theory at first. Confirmed in 1971 Dependency on OPEC Considered hero to conservationists Praised for his theory

Oil Conservation China’s oil conservation Voluntary Rationing Deprivation Lifestyles will change

Recovery Methods Steam Injection Carbon Dioxide Injection Hydrocarbon Injection 11 other methods

Other Resources Shale Oil “Heavy oil” Natural Gas Coal Nuclear Energy