Articles
Understanding the role of energy consumption in energy development through the use of saturation phenomenon by Daniel M. Martinez and Ben W. Ebenhack
An article published in Energy Policy 36 (2008) 1430-1435. A correlation is presented between the UN human development index and per capita energy consumption for 120 nations. A strong relationship between index values and energy consumption is observed for the majority of the world. These correlations suggest that tremendous gains in human development are possible for the world’s poorest, with small incremental access to energy.
An article published in Energy Policy 36 (2008) 1430-1435. A correlation is presented between the UN human development index and per capita energy consumption for 120 nations. A strong relationship between index values and energy consumption is observed for the majority of the world. These correlations suggest that tremendous gains in human development are possible for the world’s poorest, with small incremental access to energy.
| Understanding the Role of Energy Consumption |
Before the Peak: Impacts of Oil Shortages on the Developing World by Ben W. Ebenhack and Daniel M. Martinez
An article published in the International Social Science Journal of UNESCO, Summer 2008. An exploration of the generally ignored reality that the petroleum shortage will occur before peak oil, when the rate of growth falls below the rate of growth of demand. This underscores that the shortage will be coming relatively soon, even if ultimate reserves are found to be more than the most current thinking, with concomitant price increases. Indeed, an energy shortage already exists for the half of humanity lacking access to modern energy.
An article published in the International Social Science Journal of UNESCO, Summer 2008. An exploration of the generally ignored reality that the petroleum shortage will occur before peak oil, when the rate of growth falls below the rate of growth of demand. This underscores that the shortage will be coming relatively soon, even if ultimate reserves are found to be more than the most current thinking, with concomitant price increases. Indeed, an energy shortage already exists for the half of humanity lacking access to modern energy.
| Before the Peak |
A Role for SPE in Meeting Vital Human Needs by MJ Ebenhack
A presentation made at the Ninth SPE International Conference on Health Safety and Environment in Nice, France on April 15-17. Energy has a critical role to play in assisting developing nations overcome the scourge of poverty but until recently, energy's role in development has not been understood.
A presentation made at the Ninth SPE International Conference on Health Safety and Environment in Nice, France on April 15-17. Energy has a critical role to play in assisting developing nations overcome the scourge of poverty but until recently, energy's role in development has not been understood.
| A Role for SPE in Meeting Vital Human Needs |
Old Carbon vs. New Carbon in Climate Change by Ben Ebenhack
A presentation made to the Ninth SPE International Conference on Health Safety and Environment in Nice, France on April 15-17. One of the commonly accepted precepts of the climate change problematique is that biofuels are universally superior to fossil fuels due to a purported closed carbon cycle (CCC) for biomass.
A presentation made to the Ninth SPE International Conference on Health Safety and Environment in Nice, France on April 15-17. One of the commonly accepted precepts of the climate change problematique is that biofuels are universally superior to fossil fuels due to a purported closed carbon cycle (CCC) for biomass.
| Old Carbon vs. New Carbon |
How Do We Get There From Here? Global Energy Transitions Planning by Ben W. Ebenhack
How shall we craft an energy future less dependent on petroleum? And what role will oil and gas play in that scenario? In spite of an impressive 150-year track record of increasing hydrocarbon production to meet growth in demand, constraints are emerging. There will be a pinch in production rates relative to growing demand, necessitating the development and deployment of alternative energy technologies from more sustainable resources. As of yet there is no consensus on how to transition to alternative fuels.
How shall we craft an energy future less dependent on petroleum? And what role will oil and gas play in that scenario? In spite of an impressive 150-year track record of increasing hydrocarbon production to meet growth in demand, constraints are emerging. There will be a pinch in production rates relative to growing demand, necessitating the development and deployment of alternative energy technologies from more sustainable resources. As of yet there is no consensus on how to transition to alternative fuels.
| How Do We Get There From Here? |
Stripper-Scale Oilwell Technology for Africa? by Ben W. Ebenhack
Ben Ebenhack believes reworking abandoned wells can provide cheap local energy and other economic and human benefits. His idea is to redrill shallow oil and natural gas wells and locate new ones, preferably near population centers, that commercial developers have abandoned or overlooked as unprofitable for export. Full article from the Sept. 1989 Journal of Petroleum Engineering can be read here
Ben Ebenhack believes reworking abandoned wells can provide cheap local energy and other economic and human benefits. His idea is to redrill shallow oil and natural gas wells and locate new ones, preferably near population centers, that commercial developers have abandoned or overlooked as unprofitable for export. Full article from the Sept. 1989 Journal of Petroleum Engineering can be read here
| Stripper-Scale Oilwell Technology |