World Nears End of Oil Age

British geologist George Reynolds stood fascinated by soaring black liquid at an isolated mountain area in Persia (now Iran) on May 26, 1908. Six years and eight months had passed since he started his search for oil in the Middle East. It was the moment his effort, which never stopped even when he was ordered to return by his employer, came to fruition.

A hundred years have passed since oil drilling began in the Middle East. Cheap and abundant oil of the region has been the source of power running the world. However, amid soaring oil prices, a gloomy prospect that oil will run out faster than expected is adding to the growing uncertainty in the world.

Many are speeding up their movement to prepare for the post-oil era, which will bring drastic changes.