Can oil production satisfy rising demand?

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman has asked a high-level advisory board to answer one of the toughest questions dogging the U.S. economy: Can world oil production meet steadily rising demand?

The most noteworthy aspect of Bodman’s request is a reference to the “peak oil” debate. At issue: the claim by a vocal minority of energy experts that the world is at, or near, maximum oil production.