Book Review: A Thousand Barrels a Second

…On the emotional subject of peak oil, there are two extremes of debate. At one end you have those who think civilization is doomed no matter what (the viewpoint of cheery websites like dieoff.org). At the other end, you have those who think peak oil will be shaken off like a mild head cold.

Tertzakian helps bridge the gap between these extremes by explaining that yes, the challenge is serious, and gut-wrenching times are ahead… but we will ultimately see our way through. He is “urgent” in pointing out that the sooner we act the better, and pulls no punches in terms of what’s at stake.


Perhaps the real power of “A Thousand Barrels A Second” is in showing readers how to think about the big picture, orienting them to the mind-boggling mechanics of energy supply chains.

There are so many steps and processes involved in the discovery, extraction, and distribution of energy that supply chains generally evolve at a glacial pace. Major energy transitions are measured in decades, not years; the scale and scope of the task is breathtaking to behold. Without taking a closer look behind the scenes, it’s hard to get an intuitive sense of the time frames and logistical complexities involved. Tertzakian helps readers do that.

Seeking Alpha