What happens when a handful of the world's largest oil fields— accounting for two-thirds of the world's oil—run dry? What are the implications of such a prospect for food production, economic growth and ultimately, global security? In his new book, Peeking at Peak Oil ( Springer, 2012) physicist Kjell Aleklett explores the science and consequences behind the sobering reality that the world's oil production is entering terminal decline with no satisfactory alternatives.
Peeking at Peak Oil explains how oil is formed, discovered and "produced," using science to reveal the errors and deceit of public and private organizations with a vested interest in promoting business as usual. As President of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas (ASPO) and head of the world's leading research group on peak oil, Aleklett will be presenting the data and major conclusions of his book at the 10th International ASPO Conference in Vienna, Austria, on 30 May 2012 (http://www.aspo2012.at/). The conference serves as a gathering of international top experts on fossil fuel depletion and its implications, providing attendees with the latest updates on a wide range of energy and related economic issues.
The term "peak oil" was born in January 2001 when Colin Campbell founded ASPO, dedicated to the scientific exploration of the idea that our primary energy supply is finite and limited. Originally regarded as a fringe theory, peak oil has arrived. One telling sign is a 2012 International Monetary Fund working paper, "The Future of Oil: Geology versus Technology," which incorporates Campbell's depletion model, and concludes that oil prices can be understood only by considering supply constraints, i.e., peak oil.
Using simple language and engaging illustrations, Aleklett's Peeking at Peak Oil leaves readers with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the emerging issue of our time. Peak oil is now used thousands of times a day by journalists, politicians, industry leaders, economists, scientists and countless others around the globe. Peak oil is not the end of oil but it tells us the end is in sight.
For more information visit www.springer.com/978-1-4614-3423-8. Additional reading on this and other pressing energy issues is also available from Springer, including Drilling Down (Tainter and Patzek, Copernicus, 2012), and Energy and the Wealth of Nations (Hall and Klitgaard, Springer, 2012). Finally, the second edition of Campbell's Atlas of Oil and Gas Depletion (Campbell, Springer, 2012)—the most unbiased and comprehensive survey of global oil and gas supplies— will be available from Springer in September 2012.
Reviewers are invited to read Peeking at Peak Oil online immediately; hard copies available shortly.
Interviews with Kjell Aleklett also available to journalists.