by Opies » Wed 02 Jan 2008, 07:04:42
The world, IE Earth, Is finite. Is has a limited amount of matter; in fact, it is slowly losing matter as very light elements such as hydrogen and helium slowly seep into space at the edge of our atmosphere. Therefore everything on earth is finite. I don't need a source, just a tidbit of knowledge and some simple logic.
Now finite in practical terms is another thing, but I'm not going to debate you on the fact that oil is a finite resource; it's an accepted fact, so if you want to dispute it, you should be the one providing proof that oil is not finite.
Given that it is finite, and being extracted at a non-linear rate, than a statistics 101 course will tell you that the probability of it having a peak is 1. Since it would be impossible to extract oil at a linear rate, it is obvious that this is the case.
Welcome to peak oil. If you want to dispute when, or how bad said peak will be, I will be glad to join in. But disputing the fact that oil has, is, or will inevitably peak, is really a waste of everybody's time.
Secondly, keep in mind that peak oil does not mean a peak in the amount of oil. It means a peak in the rate of production. This seems to be an error you make in your optimistic ideas of 'lots of oil down there.' Sure, even if there is 20 trillion barrels, it sure aint gonna be easy to get, and production will still fall.
Belief is not required.