by Dr. Ofellati » Sat 14 Nov 2009, 09:26:35
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Yes I disagree that they are making a wild guess. The ASPO is filled with former geologists(Colin Campbell), engineers, etc. It's not just some whacko saying, Oh, I think Cantarell will decline 80% this year, and then it goes in their reports. They called 2008 for the peak of all liquids and it was so. In 2008 there was more liquids pumped out in total than the year 2005, making 2008 the peak year. That's a pretty good track record to me. Even theoildrum's megaprojects list suggests we might squeak out a few more years before falling off a cliff. Do you disagree with them as well?
No real reason to go back and forth, we both seem to agree in the future there will be less oil. No iffs, ands, or buts.
Sure there's a reason to post more. Hundreds of people will read this thread, and some will be swayed - one way or another.
It's got nothing to do with Whacko.
Ask any ASPO member - who's the most important oil producer in the world?
They'll confidently tell you the KSA.
Then ask them - what percent of exports of the world are KSA exports?
They'll confidently tell you about 20-25%.
Then ask them if KSA production is critical to world oil prices.
They'll guffaw and tell you, "of course! Nothing is more true."
Then ask them to show you the technical reports that detail the production from each well head of Ghawar over the last 10 years. Ask them to show you the % water cut on each well head. Ask them to show you the seismic and other data that support the projected new oil field development for all of their public announcements.
They will look at you quite bemused, stammer a bet, and, if they're honest, acknowledge that they, alas, do not have the data you request.
Then ask them - well, how can you even begin to estimate overall production decline rate when you don't even know the figures for the most important producer in the world?
They may stumble and offer that the KSA, itself, is saying things are such and such.
Cut them off. Ask them why on earth would it be sensible to believe the KSA when the KSA has 100 solid reasons to lie through their teeth about what their oil production future holds. Here's one - as soon as it's clear to the 7 million or so young men in the Kingdom that the Kingdom's oil production is in steep and permanent decline, you are talking months, not years, until the revolution begins. The lies push the date of reckoning inside the Kingdom back, which is desired.
Think about that for a second. The KSA announces, "we're in 8% decline with no hope of improving that number." Within 12 months a revolution is underway.
Consequence for the world? Start of the MMS (Mad Max Scenario). 25% of exports can disappear like this -
SNAPMMS in effect as oil goes through 200, trading is stopped in the U.S., and so on.
This is not a black swan event. The KSA doesn't have a large military for a very definite reason - without a large military, they are not at risk of a military junta. The U.S. can stop any invasion, if needed. The revolution in the KSA will happen, the only question is when.
So getting back to the good stuff . . .
The ASPO makes the critical mistake of believing that they have a reasonable number for the KSA. They don't. They're walking around blind in a dark room trying to tell you what color is on the walls based on the untrustworthy proclamations of a Saud family clinging to control of the country.
Given that the royal family has every reason, like the IEA, to lie about the near term and push conflagration as far into the future as possible, the best conclusion is that the ASPO estimates are wildly optimistic because they are based on the wildly optimistic lies of the KSA.
It's really quite simple.
The ASPO is warm pillow. I am a cold rock.
Who chooses a cold rock over a warm pillow?