[rockdoc123]

It was with deep regret that I became aware of the passing of a scientist who had considerable influence on my life. I post this little story here because he was one of two people I knew who worked for King Hubbert and spent many hours with him discussing issues around limits to growth, peak oil etc and of course pore fluid pressure which was his raison d'etre and Hubberts claim to fame.
His name was Dr. Peter Gretner. He was born in Switzerland and studied structural geology under the "gods" of that science for his time. He came to North America and it wasn't long before he was working at the Shell Research Centre....at that time probably the major gathering point for all of the geoscience brain power that could be bought. The science that came out of this think tank is absolutely astounding. As I've posted before Hubbert lead this group (pretty much with an iron fist according to Peter). Peter told me (I was one of his grad students many years ago) that much of his interaction with King was more to do with the idea of limits to growth. Peter said they spent an enormous amount of their "free" time talking about all of the things that would fall out of limited resources. As a student I remember Peter giving a heartfelt lecture back in 1973 about how the world was ill prepared for the demand growth on its resources. As with several other of his theories which were originally widely dismissed as being silly and have more recently been shown to be almost bang on I think much of what he and his former boss spoke to is now rearing it's head.
I post this here because Peter was one of Hubberts followers back in the fifties and sixties who only now are getting some kind of recognition for their thoughtfull insight.
When I compare scientists from Peter's generation to the sad crop that are out there now (especially the so-called climate scientists) I am left somewhat depressed.
I am forever grateful for Peter's guidance what is now so many years ago. It was Peter and one of my other MSc supervisors who first introduced me to the idea of Peak Oil back in the seventies, both of who knew Hubbert and agreed with his vision.

[whereagles]

I was 4 years old when I first realized that "you can't take 2 litres out of a 1 litre bottle".

It then took me 30 more years to understand why people would squander that 1 litre anyway. That doesn't surprise me anymore, but it still feels ilogical.

Sounds like your friend Peter had that feeling as well.

[Aaron]

Condolences.

A real loss.

[drgoodword]

Thanks for sharing this information with us. My condolences to you and all those who share this loss.

It continually amazes me how rich, dramatic and tragic the peak oil story is. A great battle has been fought for fifty years between courageous prophets of truth and those who cravenly serve power.

[yull]

No doubt they will soon be saying "but why weren't we warned? nobody could have foreseen this!".

It's already started actually, I heard a government official on the radio saying "nobody could have foreseen these oil price increases". What tosh! People have been predicting this for decades, but they were too ignorant to listen.

[PO_TimeCr0ss]

It must have been truly amazing to study under him.

[TheDude]

Sorry to hear about your loss, rock.