SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Gold/Mining/Energy : PEAK OIL - The New Y2K or The Beginning of the Real End?

 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Mahatmabenfoo who wrote (468)5/6/2005 3:44:28 PM
From: Raymond Duray  Read Replies (1) of 1183
 
Re: Eventually commodity companies could lose money in fruitless exploration for non-existant reserves,

This is not a likely scenario. All sophisticated exploration companies are now relying heavily on seismic studies to identify favorable geological structures. The "dry hole" is becoming a thing of the past.

What is much more interesting, from the perspective of securing new reserves, is that the oil majors are simply not engaged in large scale projects in virgin territories today. While U.S. companies are doing some interesting new exploration off the coast of West Africa, they are for the most part either holding onto cash, purchasing reserves (i.e. merging) or paying dividends to shareholders, rather than investing in new developments.

***
The Economist magazine has a large "Oil" supplemental section in the April 30 edition:

economist.com

I've read about half of the section, and find it to be modestly informative. YMMV. :)

***
Re: -- Mr. Market seems to siding with Mr. Simmons. :)

Please explain.


By which I simply meant that there was a huge development of combined cycle gas fired electrical generation ordered in the U.S. in the mid-1990s based on the price of natural gas remaining fairly constant at $2/mcf.

Obviously, a lot of these new plants are in deep distress due to the fact that NG has averaged over $5/mcf over the past year, and looks set to continue rising in price way above the nominal rate of inflation.

Simmons has some excellent insights into this market, IMHO. You might want to review some of his Power Point presentations available on his website. They aren't too technical, but they do provide a basis for understanding his concern regarding the inevitable disruptions that scarce NG (and oil) will create.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext