Kjell Aleklett

President, ASPO

Professor of Physics, Department of Radiation Sciences, Uppsala University

Presentation

Everyone knows that global crude oil reserves will run out – the question is, how soon? Experts who engage in this argument generally fall into two camps: pessimists and optimists. European-based Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO), is at the forefront of this debate and clearly falls into the former camp. This group of 24 scientists argues that global oil production will peak as soon as 2010 and that demand will outstrip production – a scenario known as “peak oil”. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) disagrees. According to a 2000 study by its World Energy Project, oil and gas reserves are now five times as great as they were at the end of World War II, and that world oil output will not flatten until 2036. Five years on, this study continues to recieve harsh criticism from the peak oil camp, and is at the heart of any argument over the remaining global oil reserves. ASPO President Kjell Aleklett and Chief of the World Energy Project, Tom Ahlbrandt, will each present their opposing views and the evidence that has led to their conclusions, followed by a lively debate and discussion of the following:
Addressing the industry’s supply and demand challenge
Are we approaching the peak in global oil production?
Taking practical steps to constrain demand growth