by ralfy » Fri 21 Oct 2016, 23:06:20
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Outcast_Searcher', '
')I agree that over time, thus far, global energy demand is increasing. Economic growth has tended to correlate strongly with demand for crude oil, over time.
Oil prices have already gone WAY down, due to the accurate perception that, in the short term, there is a supply glut. So commenting about the future price going down due to "supply meeting demand" doesn't even make any sense. Supply already is significantly exceeding demand (and the market perceives this state of affairs will be the case for awhile), or we wouldn't have sustained prices of roughly half of what they were when this sleigh ride began in 2014.
So to me, your whole comment about future prices vs. potential demand, etc. is muddled. There is no need to even bring diminishing returns into it. You certainly haven't demonstrated diminishing returns. Also, future prices are unknown. If oil prices get crushed long term, for example, by PHEV's and BEV's, that proves such vehicles are successful. It in no way proves that ETP is right. Oil will just be needed far less due to (finally) a truly effective (or even superior) substitute.
I personally think that will happen (PHEV's and BEV's will take over), but it will be a shift that will take a few decades or so.
And OTOH, if rising demand and shrinking new reserve finds continues and eventually oil sees a large and sustained rise, then eventually the ETP followers will need to admit their theory isn't working.
Regardless, supply and demand will have continued to do their thing, all along.
Diminishing returns are illustrated clearly here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... fall-aheadThat's why supply exceeding demand involved large amounts of debt:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... to-survivewith even more debt needed in the future in exchange for lower increases in oil production:
http://energypolicy.columbia.edu/events ... ey-driversDoes this mean the supply curve has to be even steeper? How does that affect demand?
Also, I don't think EVs will crush oil prices as EVs (together with many other products) require oil for mining, manufacturing, and even shipping, not only of finished goods but even raw materials and components. Even the infrastructure needed for EVs and RE in general require oil, and what affects oil also affects copper, etc.
In addition, alternative sources of energy have low quantity and quality. A world that's uses EVs (and extensively, as businesses competing with each other in capitalist systems will require ever-increasing production and sales in order to thrive) will require extensive amounts not only of oil but of various minerals, and likely much more than what the world will allow.
Lag time also doesn't help:
http://www.businessinsider.com/131-year ... il-2010-11Given these points, I think we will need to look at more than just supply and demand curves. Diminishing returns, the effects of increased credit and debt, the low energy returns and quantity of replacements for oil, the fact that oil is an integral requirement even for the manufacture of components needed to use other sources of energy, the effect of financial speculation on oil prices, and more will have to be considered for this issue.