Oil Today

Renewable Energy and Consumerism

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:33:14 +0000

It is pretty needless to say that we cannot go without using oil and similar sources of energy. Everything from properly fueling our cars, running huge plantations and small bird control Cheltenham firms requires certain amounts of oil that is going to be processed and transformed into energy. But the planet only has a limited storage of energy and it can only provide us with this much. The rest is up to us – at least this is what down-to-earth people should say.

But a different category of people exists; the so-called environmental activists and environmental governments are normally going to try and come up with all sorts of ideas concerning the use of alternative sources of energy. We are talking of course in terms of renewable energy, energy that is no longer damaging to the environment and energy that can go on lasting forever. Just think about solar panels or windmills and picture the type of electricity it is currently obtained using these items. Entire hotels and homes or companies are addressing their electricity needs with the help of these practices. But the truth of the matter is that Aeolian energy is impossible to be used on every corner of the planet simply because not all regions are equally windy all year long. Also, cold hemisphere countries might not be able to enjoy the same advantages of solar panels like the states that are located in the southern hemisphere. It’s only logical to happen so.

Plus, another issue that needs to be raised here refers to the consumer society we live in and the support it needs in terms of energy. The emerging question here is “Can alternative or renewable sources of energy properly support massive consumerism?” There is no simple yes or no answer here. Globalization and the embrace of Western-based consumerism approaches to lifestyles all around the globe are probably the main factors that are preventing specialists to give the green light to these alternative sources of energy that can replace oil. Of course politics is always a huge lump that also needs to be addressed carefully upon discussing such matters.

According to some people that have dedicated a great deal of their time analyzing this matter, renewable energy is not going to be able to properly and efficiently sustain our society that is based on growth and intensive energy consumption. This means that our society would not be able to function the same provided we would somehow find a way to replace the use of oil with renewable energy. Of course the matter needs to be well analyzed, but a great deal of realism needs to be addressed here.

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Scottish oil and the quest for independence

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:33:13 +0000

The issue of Scottish Independence has been a source of tension between Westminster and Scotland ever since the Union was created more than three centuries ago. Now, with the Scottish National Party gaining ground over former Labour strongholds in Scotland, the campaign for independence has never been stronger. The main issue from a UK point of view (or rather, an English/Welsh/Northern Irish viewpoint) is that North Sea oil is an invaluable source of revenue for the economy. Without it, billions of pounds of capital would be lost and with limited supplies, the cost of fuel would spiral beyond control.

Scotland’s greatest resource

It is to Scotland’s great advantage that most of the oil fields are situated north of the border. While the English North Sea is abundant in gas resources, it simply does not have the level of oil resources found further north. Putting the quest for Scottish independence and national rebirth aside, one of the main motivators for the SNP’s campaign is with Westminster’s exploitation of Scottish oil for the Union. They accuse England of stealing their own natural resources for the benefit of the English population, while their own country receives little in return.

Would Scotland still rely on the UK?

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP’s deputy leader, admitted that Scotland would have depended on Westminster to help bail out the Royal Bank of Scotland when the institution collapsed during the financial crisis. However, were Scotland an independent nation at the time, Sturgeon suggested that both countries would have co-operated just as effectively in order to save the bank.

Recent data for the 2010-2011 financial year also found that Scotland had a deficit of more than £10 billion, which included tax revenue, financial capital, contract cleaning services and all of the revenue brought in from North Sea Oil. However, with this figure representing 7.4 percent of the GDP, Scotland still managed to perform a little better than the UK as a whole, which had an economic deficit equivalent to 9.2 percent of its GDP.

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Oil capital of Europe

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:33:08 +0000

In the oil capital of Europe, Aberdeen, the oil industry is paramount to its economic survival. The fishing industry has too many constraints now to keep the city afloat, and Aberdeen is not exactly cosmopolitan; there aren’t that many diverse businesses about. However, the diversity of businesses all over the country that rely on Aberdeen’s contribution to the energy business is palpable. Anything from a barber Shetland to a fancy laser hair removal clinic London needs energy to survive and function successfully.

Aberdeen is paving the way for a greener future though. Oil companies get a bad press regarding their affect on our planet, but sustainability is a high priority now for most firms. Systems are constantly being put in place to offset carbon footprints and to recycle as much as is possible. One initiative adopted by many oil firms is food recycling. The methane that comes off the population’s food waste causes untold damage to our atmosphere. By collecting ALL food waste, including bones and meats, and turning it into compost, we reduce the waste going to landfill and the amount of methane being produced. The compost is created quicker than your common heap at the bottom of a garden and is often bought back by the bigger oil companies to use in the grounds of their offices. It’s a green circle of ingenuity.

This conscience effort to be greener is obviously good for public relations, but it is making a difference as well. At the moment, we can not live without oil – we will rely on it until a viable alternative energy source is discovered, if at all this actually happens. At least the oil industry is taking the environment in to consideration now, and if Aberdeen can do it, then so can the rest of the world.

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Strait of Hormuz

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:33:16 +0000

Energy is what makes the world run today. Without energy all the machines that allow us to live the luxurious life that we live will stop working. Many of us would not mind going in our car to the grocery store that is 5 minutes away by walk. Most of the cars we use today run on fossil fuel. I know there are a few on the road that run on electricity, but guess what: the electricity that you use to charge the battery was produced by burning coal.

Coming back to oil, the possibility of the price of Oil going so high that more than 50% of the world would not be able to purchase it, is really high. This is because the president of Iran has been threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. 20% percent of oil traded in the world passes through this strait and closing this strait would severely affect the world economy. The threat could become real as early as in 5 months time, as both Europe and U.S have agreed on sanctions that would make it impossible for any country to buy oil from Iran. We know these sanctions were imposed to stop the Iranian regime from getting hold of nuclear bombs. The sanctions are not yet made effective as 6 months time has been given for all the countries to find alternate ways to get oil.

In six months time instead of time management software you will need fuel management software, as the price of oil will surely shoot up. Wastage of oil will be a crime and economies around the world will start failing. One good thing that could come out of this problem would be the attention of world governments turning to alternative energy. Well, I am sure this is wishful thinking, because if Iran closes the Strait, we will immediately have another war for oil underway.

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Oil Future in a Financially Unstable Europe

admin — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:03:28 +0000

How is the European debt crisis going to affect the oil trade and business in the continent? This is the question that many of the people engaged in oil business have been asking after the beginning of the financial problems in Europe in 2011. The answer might appear to be quite complex because it is yet unknown what is actually gonna happen with the European commodity and stock markets. Nonetheless, a prediction by leading European economists indicate that the future of oil might not be that bright in the second largest oil consumer in the world – the EU.

Firstly, the commodity market might reject a further expansion of the oil business. The deficiency of capital and the reduced trade due to the economic problems of Europe might lead to significantly less demand for oil from international retailers such as Shell, the Russian oil giants and Arab providers. Even though oil would remain largely consumed, its use for commercial and industrial purposes might reduces. Many businesses have already decided that in the current economic climate, they are ready to spend more money and once and buy solar equipment or wind equipment for their facilities and thus reduce their energy expenses in the long run even being obliged to pay a lot for the beginning of such a venture.

In terms of general consumption, oil would also reduce its influence over the market. However, the demand would decrease slightly simply because people would still need transportation which for now only oil dominate as a source of energy and fuels. Even small businesses, such as providers of office cleaning supplies and other media-sized enterprises would continue to use oil because they would not have the necessary capital to go green. This is the reason why while with larger corporations and certain rich governments oil might reduce in popularity and despite the economic crisis, it would remain strongly consumed by small business and general consumers.

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New Oil Deposits Discovered

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:54:52 +0000

Oil is now related as an ending resource to absolutely any transportation industry and activity (such as moving and handling instructor courses and separate transportation cores) and any other branch of production indirectly related to oil (such as technology and electronics). However, rather than worrying about oil, we might now be sure that there is much to be discovered. As the US unleashes a new program about discovering resources on the territory of the country, oil deposits keep appearing on the map making the country a possible leader in the oil industry in the upcoming years, overtaking Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Claims like this can be easily proved with the discovery of the Bakker ’Boom’. The Environmental News Network (http://www.enn.com/energy/article/43303) reports that the amount of oil in this area might well reach some 11 billion barrels and even exceed that amount thus contributing a huge amount of fuel to the american consumers for a short period of time. The states Montana and North Dakota are most likely to be the first states to benefit from the upcoming oil boom in the US as the deposits would be most comfortably extracted from these locations.

The news about the oil deposits puts a doze of certainty into the troubled US society – it is now certain that there would be oil in the upcoming decade unlike some predictions by economists that the deficiency of oil would force the American consumers to put up with extortionate prices. The oil extraction would also have a positive effect over the employment opportunities in these states and would significantly improve the economic situation of the US because currently the US is importing almost two thirds of its oil from abroad. Should the Bakker oil basin be developed as a leading source of fuel, the US might afford financial stability and large oil reserves.

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Asian Giants and Solar Energy

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:33:22 +0000

The prices have always been rising, but it has jumped really high recently. Well that’s not the only problem, apart from the high prices there is also a shortage in petrol production due to the Arab revolutions in countries like Libya.

There was a time when people used to think what they would do if there was no petrol. Thankfully nowadays people know what they would do if there is no more petrol. There are many options of alternate energy, so that even if petrol is going to finish, life would still go on. It might not be the same, but if you look at it from the perspective of the environment it’s only going to be better.

China and India are two Asian giants that are together consuming the majority of fossil fuels in the world and every year their energy needs are only growing. This not only means that their development is causing an additional carbon release, but it also means that it is going to be affected by the shortage of fossil energy.

But while looking for some good pv panels at pv panels surrey, I realised that there is something that both these countries are overlooking right now. Both of these countries have the equator crossing them which means they are receiving a lot of sunlight per year. That is free, natural, renewable and environment friendly source of energy. All they have to do is to start investing into solar energy, especially when they have the financial ability to do so. This way they will not only fulfil their energy needs, but will also do a lot of good for the environment.

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Oil Today

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:03:10 +0000

If you open Google news and type any sensible word in the search, most likely you will find news related to that word, from all around the world. But that does not really mean that the word that you typed was important. However with every news headline in there, below it mentions the time when it was posted. The word that will have higher number of recent posts is most likely going to be the most important word. Now go ahead and put oil in the Google news search and you will be surprised at the number of most recent news. You will find some might even be posted just a few second ago and more are on the way. Oh, by the way you also have to add the particular word to your section of Google news homepage. You don’t have to do that in case if you are not interested in oil related news, but in case if you are reading this blog then most likely you are.

The point that I am trying to make or the question that I am trying to evoke is ‘how important is oil today and are we willing to part ways with it?'There are schemes of wars and wars underway due to oil and the future is not even oil.

Last week right after we got our new flooring done, our 5 year old son slipped and fell due to some oil that had spilled onto the floor. It’s true that Oil is very important but it can be very slippery too. Many nations have fallen due to oil. You might want to try and reduce your dependency on oil. It’s only going to get costlier.

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Shell Strikes Out

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:03:14 +0000

Oil is a commodity which we all take for granted and come into contact with on a daily basis. Yet the companies who are controlling the supply of this resource are not always doing the best job they can in ensuring safety and environmental standards are met. Oil is not dirty – it is how it is treated by some companies that make it dirty. Shell is the latest company to come under scrutiny.

A news item reported in The Guardian online just two days ago illustrates how much farther there is to go in convincing people that oil is and can be safe. As always it is the way the substance is treated by man that causes the problems. With BP still reeling from international condemnation from last year’s spill off the Gulf of Mexico, oil giants seem eager to incite hatred against them with the latest news from Nigeria.

For the past 50 years Shell has been drilling in and around the area known as Goi, 40 miles from the port of Harcourt in Nigeria. Due to some lax regulation from the Nigerian authorities, drilling and environmental concerns have not been taken as seriously as they should have been by the oil giant. Goi itself is now uninhabitable following a number of spills over the years that have been quietly swept under the carpet amongst the international community. It is only now thanks to the power of the internet, things like worldsim cards have become readily available in Nigeria enabling people previously without a louder voice to communicate effectively with the rest of the world.

Shell is currently facing a law suit in The Hague thanks to Goi resident and Deacon Barrisa Tete Dooh. Dooh has galvanised the former residents of Goi into action and whether or not their case is successful is almost a moot point. The publicity they hope to generate should be enough to make the world stand up and pay attention. The worst thing about the case is that Shell is another high profile provider of oil that can ill afford to annoy the people that rely on it.

It is difficult to say whether or not Shell is solely responsible for the Goi spills and subsequent move of its inhabitants. However as a well known oil giant living through a time where public outrage at oil spills, banks and much more is at fever pitch, Shell needs to be seen to be setting a good example. If it is found guilty in The Hague, perhaps it will encourage other oil companies to step up and take the lead in changing out-dated and environmentally unsound operating practises. Profit may be the defining factor on the balance sheet for Shell, but the costs they will incur from the trial and the potential damages involved could be the thing to force the top executives to take note and clean up their act.

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Unbearable Prices in Eastern Europe

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:03:23 +0000

Eastern Europe keeps suffering from the economic disturbances around the world. The most recent shock is the increasing oil price that hit the region with increased petrol prices. Most of the households in the region denied to be able to afford petrol at these prices any longer and demanded their governments to take reasonable measures in order to maintain the affordable price limit over fuels.

The most damaged economy from the fuel prices increase was Bulgaria. The country is now suffering from extortionate prices of fuels where gasoline and diesel fuel are reaching 1.25 Euros per liter. Compared to the income of most of the households, such a price would have a devastating effect over the consumers in the country. Even hybrid cars will not make great difference to the people since the prices are nearing limits that have never been suspected as reasonable in the region.

Other economies such as Greece and Romania were also severely hit. The countries'economic problems coupled with the opportunity for oil to increase in price made it almost unbearable for people to travel with their own cars. Public transportation prices, however, are also increasing and thus inflation is quickening in the region.

For states such as Serbia and Macedonia the price change is even more severe because such countries are not even within the EU. Thus they cannot receive EU law protection and cannot trade oil from the EU without paying tax.
Thus the overall situation resembles an oil crisis not seen before – the demand for petrol products have decreased in times and the ability to purchase of the consumers has reduced with almost 7% overall by the increase in the prices.

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