Will We Face a Fuel Crisis?

[AztecInca]

With the current prices of oil and with many predicting that oil production will peak within the next few decades. Production will no longer meet demands if no new large oil fields are discovered or if alternatives aren`t brought into use in a large scale. Will this result in a major crisis?

I am looking for two members to debate this topic. One will debate that we will face a fuel crisis, and one will debate that it will be averted and no crisis will eventuate.

This is a formal, 1 vs 1 debate. Each debater will post one introduction, five body posts and one conclusion. Posts will need to be made within 7 days of the last reply.

Any questions, please send myself or Lottie a PM.

Edited December 8, 2005 by Lottie

[Novo]

I'd like to debate that we will not.

[AztecInca]

Thank-you Novo.

Novo will be debating that we will not face a fuel crisis.

We are now looking for one member to debate that we will face a fuel crisis in the not to distant future.

[AztecInca]

Pallidin only debate participants and debate organisers may post in a debate. Unless you wish to participate in a debate your position and comments on the subject are unnecessary.

[Erikl]

Oh - I have waited for so long to such an interesting subject to debate on.

I would debate that we do face a fuel crisis .

[AztecInca]

Thank-you Erikl.

Erikl will be debating that we will face a fuel crisis in the not to distant future.

Novo will be debating that we will not face a fuel crisis.

Just a quick reminder that this is a formal, 1 vs 1 debate. Each debater will post one introduction, five body posts and one conclusion. Posts will need to be made within 7 days of the last reply.

Any questions, please send myself or Lottie a PM.

Good luck!

[Erikl]

The Coming Fuel Crisis - Inroduction

With the recent sharp increase in oil prices, rising from $25-30 per barrel four years ago to the current $65-70 a barrel, people have been trying to find all sorts of explanations to this trend - the war in iraq, hurricanes, middle east conflict, 9/11 etc.

The truth is, though, that all those reasons are minor ones. 9/11 affected American economy much more dramatically and it's consequences are almost gone by now. The war in Iraq might have been a reason 2 years ago, but now with a continious flow of Iraqi oil to the west, it just isn't enough to explain the tramendious increase. As for the recent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico - they only accelerated what was an ongoing process.

In this debate I will show how the main reason for the increase in oil prices is the fact that we are approaching what is called "the oil peak", when the oil will reach it's max. production rates, and after that we will be facing a global fuel crisis, not because all the oil is gone, but because there simply won't be enough to answer our demands in reasonable prices.

I'll also show some of the implications of such a crisis on our oil-based civilization, why have we reached this situation, and what technologies could soften the harsh times laying ahead.

[Novo]

The Coming Oil Crisis - Introduction

Gas is now $2.50 in the United States, And in some places over 3 dollars. Why is this? Is it because there is not enough oil? Because the oil bearing countries simply will not sell to the west? In this debate, I will show both that while there is certainly a sharp rise in oil prices we will not face a fuel crisis. And explore in depth the various aspects of modern oil trade.I will bring to light various alternative fuel sources oppressed by the oil and automobile industrys, And information supporting the belief that just as much price gauging is going on by the oil companys as your local Chevron.

[AztecInca]

Erikl, the 7-day time limit for you to post is about to expire, please let myself or Lottie know if you are unable to post.

[AztecInca]

Erikl has provided a valid reason for being unable to post and therfore will not be penalised.

He will be posting in the next few days.

Erikl has informed myself that he will be posting this thursday, so the debate will go on.

Edited November 7, 2005 by AztecInca

[Guest Lottie]

Erikl, Your time limit has now come and gone. If you still are unable to make a post please inform Aztec or myself within the next 48 hours. Thanks.

[Erikl]

Oh sorry I had a post prepaired in a Doc file and forgot to upload it ...

How oil is formed?

Conventional science view crude oil, like coal and natural gas, as the product of compression and heating of ancient vegetation over geological time scales. According to this theory, it is formed from the decayed remains of prehistoric marine animals and terrestrial plants. Over many centuries this organic matter, mixed with mud, is buried under thick sedimentary layers of material. The resulting high levels of heat and pressure cause the remains to metamorphose, first into a waxy material known as kerogen, and then into liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in a process known as catagenesis. These then migrate through adjacent rock layers until they become trapped underground in porous rocks called reservoirs, forming an oil field, from which the liquid can be extracted by drilling and pumping.

As we can see, oil is produced over millions of years, and while it is still being produced today at the depths of the earth, it is an extremely slow process and so one can reasonably say oil, atleast for our uses - is limited in it's amount and once pumped from a certain field, it is gone and isn't renewing.

[Guest Lottie]

Novo, waiting for your reply .

[AztecInca]

Novo I am sorry to have to do this again but you must be penalised two points for not posting in the required time limit and from each day onwards another 2 points will be deducted. If you still do not post after two weeks it will result in an instant disqualification.

Please pm myself or Lottie to explain your inability to post.

Edited November 23, 2005 by AztecInca

[AztecInca]

chaoserver only debate participants and debate organisers may post in a debate. Unless you wish to participate in a debate your position and comments on the subject are unnecessary.

[AztecInca]

The two-week time limit has well and trully passed Novo. I`m afraid I will have to disqualify you which means that Erikl wins by default.