Soaring oil prices

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:30 am

Crude oil prices are once again on the increase as it's almost $55 per barrel today. For how long will oil continue to shape global politics? Furthermore, some commentators believe that at the current rate of consumption, most of the world's oil wells would dry up in the next 30 years. Isn't it time for the world to start thinking of alternative sources of energy?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 11:37 am

$1.96 a gallon in the East, alternative energy sources are long overdue. They did not encourage enough research during the 60s and 70s, which would have given us some alternative form of energy by now.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:26 pm

polycarp wrote: Crude oil prices are once again on the increase as it's almost $55 per barrel today. For how long will oil continue to shape global politics? Furthermore, some commentators believe that at the current rate of consumption, most of the world's oil wells would dry up in the next 30 years. Isn't it time for the world to start thinking of alternative sources of energy?
Hold your hat!!!! It may go to $80 a barrel.

LottomagicZ4941 · Post by **LottomagicZ4941** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:25 pm

I reviewed morningstar yesterday and was surprized that I'm underweight in energy compaired to the S and P 500.

I do have 2K in a sector fund that is heavely into energy so I expected a stronger over weight.

One surprizing thing in reading the prospectus of New Era was that it has 2.9% reits.

The energy sector has been under invested in for some time.

I think it can continue to out perform the market if it does not run up to fast.

Lotto

http://www.flalottomagic.net/cgi-local/ ... elcome-344

MagicZ4941A

chicagolosina · Post by **chicagolosina** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:48 pm

LOL Your complaining about $2.05/gallon? We used to love it here in Canada when gas was that price! Ahhh...the good old days :-6

I remember watching the news last summer, people were freaking out about the price of gas. One woman (driving a hummer) complained that she had to fill up on her way home every night (seems she lived in the suburbs..way west of Toronto) said it cost her $60.00/day!! What a twit!

Last look at the pumps it was 83.5/L (4 L in a gallon) approx $3.35 gallon give or take 40 or 50 cents for the exchange.

Last summer I was in the Carribbean I think it cost about $50 CDN to fill up a little toyota!! I imagine it's so much more expensive in Europe! Yikes!

I was looking into the toyota prius...they are just sooo expensive...wonder why the government hasn't offered a tax rebate on energy saving cars...they do on appliances up here.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 11:49 pm

It is really alarming how all of you are voicing out on this issue. There are two sides to it you know, while consumer nations are complaining about the high oil prices, producer nations like mine (Nigeria) are reaping the bounty. We are making unprecedented large sums, but our hearts still go out to the average people in the large consumer countries. Part of the problem as some analysts put it is that, President Bush in his "stobbornness'' doesn't want to negotiate with OPEC, so that the members could increase production with a view to lowering the price. Infact, a White House spokesperson said that they expect oil prices to keep rising till 2006. That's really scary considering the probable negative effect it could have on the world economy, although this same fear never came to fruition in 2004 in which the world equally saw an escalation of oil prices..

A Karenina · Post by **A Karenina** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:04 am

chonsigirl wrote: $1.96 a gallon in the East, alternative energy sources are long overdue. They did not encourage enough research during the 60s and 70s, which would have given us some alternative form of energy by now.
We have alternative forms of energy. They're not widely popular, available, or affordable but the technologies exist. I take my good news where I can find it.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:48 am

A Karenina wrote: We have alternative forms of energy. They're not widely popular, available, or affordable but the technologies exist. I take my good news where I can find it.

I've heard of some progress with regards to solar, wind and nuclear energies but are yet to be perfected or expensive as you mentioned. I guess the fact that many politicians are into oil business as well as the intent to save jobs add to why progress in alternative sources are slow. Probably, it's when the world oil reserves really start drying up that the matter of alternatives will be taken more seriously by governments.

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:14 am

I love these little hybrid cars!! I'm waiting for one big enough to fit all my tools in. But then the cost of electricity will go up.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 1:43 am

koan wrote: I love these little hybrid cars!! I'm waiting for one big enough to fit all my tools in. But then the cost of electricity will go up.
Hello Koan, just wondering, are the hybrid cars affordable?

jahamaa · Post by **jahamaa** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 6:57 pm

koan wrote: I love these little hybrid cars!! I'm waiting for one big enough to fit all my tools in. But then the cost of electricity will go up.

Koan I think you hit the nail right on the head with your last sentence. The market is going to charge as much as it can get no matter what type of energy we're talking about

Get rid of oil and the powers that be will just over charge us for whatever replaces it.

A Karenina · Post by **A Karenina** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:07 pm

Spain is expected to release a car next month that runs on compressed air. I'm curious to see what will happen with that.

jahamaa · Post by **jahamaa** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:15 pm

A Karenina wrote: Spain is expected to release a car next month that runs on compressed air. I'm curious to see what will happen with that.

Bet you a weeks pay they figure out someway to charge us for air.

Man I am becoming the king of the cynics :p

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:36 pm

jahamaa wrote: Bet you a weeks pay they figure out someway to charge us for air.

Man I am becoming the king of the cynics :p
You have a point. For any new product or invention, a way of turning it into a pofitable venture is indubitable. In case of oil, the only concern is that it is a non-rewewable resource which could be exhausted anytime. Otherwise, the way it is spread round the world inhibits any person or nation to claim the monoploy of its production, hence cannot arbitrarily increase the price. But with its supply truncating, warning signals are recieved by both producers and consumers alike. This therefore calls for the exporation of alternative sources of energy, in spite of possible acts of profiteering by the patent right owners/producers

koan · Post by **koan** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:38 pm

Oil is renewable just not as fast as we are consuming it. Tesla could have freed us from all this, if they had let him!

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:58 pm

The renewability of oil is a matter of millions of years, which is as good a description as non-renewability. The world started exploring oil in large proportion less than 200 years ago, and already we are recieving warning signals on its depletion. This is something that took millions of years to form but was exhausted in less than two centuries. I still feel comfortable describing it as non-renewable unless if Tesla had an idea of hastening or shortening the "gestation period" of oil formation and accumulation, which if yes I'll like to learn from you Koan.

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:08 am

Millions of years...like I said slower than we are consuming it. :wah:

Telsa could have given us transportation for free using electricity. Of course the people making the cars still make money.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:25 am

koan wrote: Millions of years...like I said slower than we are consuming it. :wah:

Telsa could have given us transportation for free using electricity. Of course the people making the cars still make money.
Interesting, but I humbly disagree with the word "free" rather why not say "cheaper". Because electricity is not free today, therefore Tesla's method of transportation using electricity, would probably had been cheaper and friendlier to the environment but definately not free. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

Post by **kensloft** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:28 am

polycarp wrote: I've heard of some progress with regards to solar, wind and nuclear energies but are yet to be perfected or expensive as you mentioned. I guess the fact that many politicians are into oil business as well as the intent to save jobs add to why progress in alternative sources are slow. Probably, it's when the world oil reserves really start drying up that the matter of alternatives will be taken more seriously by governments.
There is a plastic that has been invented by Canadian scietists that is five times the strength creating energy through the the infrared rays of the sun than the solar panels of today. This is an untapped resource. You could paint your cuff with this stuff and play your ipod while walking downthe street.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:53 am

kensloft wrote: There is a plastic that has been invented by Canadian scietists that is five times the strength creating energy through the the infrared rays of the sun than the solar panels of today. This is an untapped resource. You could paint your cuff with this stuff and play your ipod while walking downthe street.
That's good to know and equally very encouraging. However, what are the raw materials for synthesiszing this plastic? Most plastics are products or bye-products of fossil fuels but if this one is purely synthesized from renewable raw materials then it could stand the test of time.

kmhowe72 · Post by **kmhowe72** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:36 am

My husband and I decided to continue to rent Apartment's. Because paying for heat is to expensive. :-2

Post by **kensloft** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 5:02 pm

polycarp wrote: That's good to know and equally very encouraging. However, what are the raw materials for synthesiszing this plastic? Most plastics are products or bye-products of fossil fuels but if this one is purely synthesized from renewable raw materials then it could stand the test of time.
Not being in the know means that I'm not in the loop, but... ? Life is getting better and better. Let's keep the faith. After all, Canada has said that this century belongs to Africa.

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:15 pm

polycarp wrote: Interesting, but I humbly disagree with the word "free" rather why not say "cheaper". Because electricity is not free today, therefore Tesla's method of transportation using electricity, would probably had been cheaper and friendlier to the environment but definately not free. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

He had his funding cut because he found a way to supply the world with electricity for practically nothing. If he had been funded and allowed to continue I think he could have found a way for us to get free power in all kinds of forms. But that didn't make for good business. As it is, he ended his life feeding pigeons.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 3:16 am

kensloft wrote: Not being in the know means that I'm not in the loop, but... ? Life is getting better and better. Let's keep the faith. After all, Canada has said that this century belongs to Africa.
Hello Kensloft, well if the plastic you talked about is worthwhile and economical to use, we'll all get to know more about it with time. With regards to the issue of Canada announcing that, this is Africa's century, I find it very refreshing as we rarely hear any encouraging remarks from the developed world. We (Africans) are almost always associated with wars, poverty, HIV/AIDS, ethnic conflicts and dictatorships. On a serious note, I firmly believe that someday (probably not in our lifetime) Africa will rule the world. I don't know how that will be achieved but I have a deep affirmative feeling about that.

Going back to history, Babylon (now Iraq) was once a world power, So was Macedonia (Greece) during Alexander the great as well as Mongolia, during Genghis Khan. So, since power moves from one bloc to anorthe over time, I won't be surprised if we become superpowers in some centuries to come. Today, China is threathening to surpass the U.S. as world economic power and the American National security Council has acknowledge that this is expected to happen by the year 2015 ceteris paribus. So I thank canada for having hope in Africa regardless of the fact that our people (especially the leaders) don't seem keen (at the moment) to take up the challange, but the time shall certainly come when we'll pick the bull by the horns. Cheers!

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 3:37 am

koan wrote: He had his funding cut because he found a way to supply the world with electricity for practically nothing. If he had been funded and allowed to continue I think he could have found a way for us to get free power in all kinds of forms. But that didn't make for good business. As it is, he ended his life feeding pigeons.
I have a friend who used to be so keen about the works of Tesla, but I never really gave serious attention. But from what you are saying, it seems the works of tesla, would constitute a good reading. I'll give it a shot in my spare tiime.

It's really unfortunate to learn about how the genius was frustrated and edged out. That was an unethical thing to do. I guess whoever did that to Tesla (be it a government or corporation) has denied the human race from probably, the greatest man-man invention we ever would have known.

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:10 am

polycarp wrote: Crude oil prices are once again on the increase as it's almost $55 per barrel today. For how long will oil continue to shape global politics? Furthermore, some commentators believe that at the current rate of consumption, most of the world's oil wells would dry up in the next 30 years. Isn't it time for the world to start thinking of alternative sources of energy?

Something has to come along or we all will be in for a big hurt. Diesel is $2.69 in my area of the country. When prices start to inflate due to the huge cost of transporting and manufacturing products, we will all feel it.

The U.S. and Europe are now competing with Inda and China for oil. And we all know that none of the countries are lessening their need for oil.

My belief is that we need to find an alternative (what is there?) quickly. If not, we face economic troubles and the potential for war.

koan · Post by **koan** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:21 am

Tombstone wrote: Something has to come along or we all will be in for a big hurt. Diesel is $2.69 in my area of the country. When prices start to inflate due to the huge cost of transporting and manufacturing products, we will all feel it.

The U.S. and Europe are now competing with Inda and China for oil. And we all know that none of the countries are lessening their need for oil.

My belief is that we need to find an alternative (what is there?) quickly. If not, we face economic troubles and the potential for war.

Many would say that this is the cause of at least one war...the current one.

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 11:05 am

koan wrote: Many would say that this is the cause of at least one war...the current one.
I have a hard time believing that though. If it was, then the U.S. would have grabbed the supply. Not only did the U.S. not do this, but they paid so little attention to the oil facilities that the insurgents spent a year destroying the oil infrastructure in Iraq. It's in shambles now.

Makes me scratch my head. Know what I mean?

Post by **kensloft** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 11:15 am

koan wrote: Many would say that this is the cause of at least one war...the current one.
It is only that there is oil there that makes people say that that is the reason for invading Iraq. I can't say that it isn't a part of the basic plan but it is not the primary purpose for being there. At least it isn't being fought over uranium resources.

Americans are starting to clue into the smaller smart cars and hybrids. These cars stand to cut down the gas usage in half(if everyone owned one). This is a bright light. because conversely if there are the same amounts of gas being used then it means that there are twice as many vehicles on the road doing work.

I would think that there would be a lot of wind energy in Vermont. In Toronto we have set up a wind turbine. It's a start. There have been many conservative governments that just passed on doing anything environmentally good things. Walk the talk and talk the walk, if you get my drift. Someone was telling me that there was an electified transit system in Alberta that operates on wind power.

The point now is to conserve energy through not wasting it by having houses that are draughty and letting the warm air out the cracks and such. We're doing it here and the government will let you use some grant or rebate structure to make your house energy efficient.

With the Kyoto accord being enacted it will be more of a focus of getting people to realize energy savings are the way to the future. Cutting down on the pollution is a needed effort if we are going to leave anything to future generations that resembles anything of a functioning social order that benefits the people.

Post by **kensloft** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:37 pm

polycarp wrote: Hello Kensloft, well if the plastic you talked about is worthwhile and economical to use, we'll all get to know more about it with time. With regards to the issue of Canada announcing that, this is Africa's century, I find it very refreshing as we rarely hear any encouraging remarks from the developed world. We (Africans) are almost always associated with wars, poverty, HIV/AIDS, ethnic conflicts and dictatorships. On a serious note, I firmly believe that someday (probably not in our lifetime) Africa will rule the world. I don't know how that will be achieved but I have a deep affirmative feeling about that.

Going back to history, Babylon (now Iraq) was once a world power, So was Macedonia (Greece) during Alexander the great as well as Mongolia, during Genghis Khan. So, since power moves from one bloc to anorthe over time, I won't be surprised if we become superpowers in some centuries to come. Today, China is threathening to surpass the U.S. as world economic power and the American National security Council has acknowledge that this is expected to happen by the year 2015 ceteris paribus. So I thank canada for having hope in Africa regardless of the fact that our people (especially the leaders) don't seem keen (at the moment) to take up the challange, but the time shall certainly come when we'll pick the bull by the horns. Cheers!

These Empires were of the world then and the world was a pretty small place. If everybody shared the world as opposed to try to rule the world I think that the world would be a much better place. For evereybody. On the same token maybe the role of leader could be passed around so that everybody would be satisfied to know that they are the best and the strongest. In reality we are all brothers and sisters. Racism is man made and it only points out the differences that have been caused by the environments that the different cultures evolved in during the sojourn of the different tribes in their geographic determinations of their homelands.

One of the hardest things to do is to be honest. If the politicians of the world could get away with it they would. Fortunately we can get them when they step out of line like Saddam Hussein. Not to say that invasion is the only option. When people of like mind are determined to do what is right for people and not themselves then democracy will thrive. One thing about Democracy is that you can't fake it. We've got the rest of the century to explore the options that are available. I met a number of Aficans and they are just as human as I am, so, they understand the problems but can't do anything about it because they would be killed outright were they in their countries.

The Internet is a massive weapon against the masses being held in the uneducated life that is the ignorance imposed upon them by their masters or rulers. Havew faith brother. It'll all work out for the best in the end.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:09 am

kensloft wrote: These Empires were of the world then and the world was a pretty small place. If everybody shared the world as opposed to try to rule the world I think that the world would be a much better place. For evereybody. On the same token maybe the role of leader could be passed around so that everybody would be satisfied to know that they are the best and the strongest. In reality we are all brothers and sisters. Racism is man made and it only points out the differences that have been caused by the environments that the different cultures evolved in during the sojourn of the different tribes in their geographic determinations of their homelands.

One of the hardest things to do is to be honest. If the politicians of the world could get away with it they would. Fortunately we can get them when they step out of line like Saddam Hussein. Not to say that invasion is the only option. When people of like mind are determined to do what is right for people and not themselves then democracy will thrive. One thing about Democracy is that you can't fake it. We've got the rest of the century to explore the options that are available. I met a number of Aficans and they are just as human as I am, so, they understand the problems but can't do anything about it because they would be killed outright were they in their countries.

The Internet is a massive weapon against the masses being held in the uneducated life that is the ignorance imposed upon them by their masters or rulers. Havew faith brother. It'll all work out for the best in the end.
I like the way you put the whole idea, infact I totally agree with you, in the sense that, the issue of world power does not arise. What matters is interdependence among nations. Now western Europe is united and reaping the fruits of this unity. If only politicians the world over will recognise and accept this fact, then some of the problems be-develling this world today would be things of the past.

Regarding, the internet, the world has been permanently changed, although it might take some decades for it to reach the mojority of the people in the developing world. For example in my country, I don't think up to 1% of the population has access to the internet. The number of internet users compared to the entire population is pathetically low. And it may interest you to know that the politicians are not keen about everyone having internet access because they are allergic to peoples' awareness. The more poeple know, the less they can be milking our economies and opening Swiss accounts. So we only fold our arms and await the evolutionary process to take its course.

Post by **kensloft** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:59 am

polycarp wrote: I like the way you put the whole idea, infact I totally agree with you, in the sense that, the issue of world power does not arise. What matters is interdependence among nations. Now western Europe is united and reaping the fruits of this unity. If only politicians the world over will recognise and accept this fact, then some of the problems be-develling this world today would be things of the past.

Regarding, the internet, the world has been permanently changed, although it might take some decades for it to reach the mojority of the people in the developing world. For example in my country, I don't think up to 1% of the population has access to the internet. The number of internet users compared to the entire population is pathetically low. And it may interest you to know that the politicians are not keen about everyone having internet access because they are allergic to peoples' awareness. The more poeple know, the less they can be milking our economies and opening Swiss accounts. So we only fold our arms and await the evolutionary process to take its course.
I think that this is the problem with the West's concept of Africa. They see it as a nation of people that are more into corruption and skimming off the profits into bank accounts in other countries. It is not said because it is meant to disparage Africans , it is meant to tell people what is going on in the region.

1% of the population is small and by no means going to change things especially when you take into consideration that it is these same people that make up the majority that are milking the finances and resources of their respective nations. Gone is the need for hidden rendez vous with the other criminally minded politicians because the internet allows them to do their thing without leaving the office.

When you are under the barrel of a gun it isn't wise to speak your mind. All you can do is let people know that there is this universe known as the Internet that will allow you gain youur freedom through education. It is easy for me, on this side of the ocean, to voice opinions but the Lord helps thoae who help themselves. There is nothing more formidable than citizens that decide to unite for their rights. Talking helps and letting people know that there is an out to their problems with the Internet is something that should be pursued.. Getting the pilferers to go along with it ain't easy. Remember what the Cross represents.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 6:52 am

kensloft wrote: I think that this is the problem with the West's concept of Africa. They see it as a nation of people that are more into corruption and skimming off the profits into bank accounts in other countries. It is not said because it is meant to disparage Africans , it is meant to tell people what is going on in the region.

1% of the population is small and by no means going to change things especially when you take into consideration that it is these same people that make up the majority that are milking the finances and resources of their respective nations. Gone is the need for hidden rendez vous with the other criminally minded politicians because the internet allows them to do their thing without leaving the office.

When you are under the barrel of a gun it isn't wise to speak your mind. All you can do is let people know that there is this universe known as the Internet that will allow you gain youur freedom through education. It is easy for me, on this side of the ocean, to voice opinions but the Lord helps thoae who help themselves. There is nothing more formidable than citizens that decide to unite for their rights. Talking helps and letting people know that there is an out to their problems with the Internet is something that should be pursued.. Getting the pilferers to go along with it ain't easy. Remember what the Cross represents.
Thanks for the input Kensloft. You see, Africa is very complex and difficult to understand. One funny thing about us is that every generally believed law or hypothesis about human behavior doesn't apply to us. You see, majority of our people are in poverty but the very poverty stricken people are the very ones to defend any government official that is to be tried for corruption or some other cirme. Also, it is only here that corrupt people are given honorary titles. In fact, in some cases, a man might be dis-owned by his peple if he occupies a top position and doesn't become very rich. He becomes a subject of ridicule. Religion also has its toll on the people, if a christian steals government mnoney and a moslem reports him, the christians will say the move was due to religiuos differences and vice-versa. Ehnic extraction also is a factor that plays a role in everything you want to do. The various ethnic groups don't trust one another and each is trying to out-do the other economically (by milking the economy). The land is simply polarised along, religious, ethnic and economic lines. And nobody is willing to listen to you from the other side. You're only given attention by people on your side of the pole. Many great sons of Africa have tried to make our people aware but failed and thus moved to Europe of America in frustration. The situation is just hopeless because we that have access to the internet and have a mind for a positive change are pathetically few and powerless.