by trespam » Mon 04 Jul 2005, 14:03:09
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('khebab', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('trespam', 'S')peculation about depletion rates must take into account consumption. Long before 8% annual depletion rates are a proven fact the world economy will produce an extraordinary amount of demand destruction that will push the decline out by many years--and put many people out of work.
Answer these questions:
How many of your purchases are necessary? How many of the automobile purchases are necessary? How many vacations are necessary? How many vacations to far off places on jet planes are necessary?
Needs versus wants. Wants will decline to meet needs. I don't think 8% declines will happen. Demand will drop to produce period gluts of oil.
I'm not convinced of that, I think people will keep buying the black stuff at any price! crude oil prices have almost tripled in three years but the economy is still going strong, US GDP will be probably grow +4% this year, consumer confidence is very high despite higher gas prices. Inflation seems under control. Historically, it does not seem that oil demand is influenced much by prices.
The situation may changed but so far world economies are getting used to higher oil price (at least for rich countries). Demand destruction could happen faster in poor countries.
However, the last BP energy report shows that new discoverie numbers are going flat since 2003 so depletion could show its ugly face sooner than we think.
We've not hit depletion yet. There have been no shortages. There have been no gas lines. True depletion, once we hit it, changes the game. The end of economic growth (on a global, time averaged basis). Imbalances will unwind.
Speculation? Of course. But my gut tells me that once we hit true depletion, once world production drops by a few percentage points, recession starts, imbalances unwind, etc.
What's happened so far is not depletion, just speculation about upcoming depletion.