International Energy Agency Reports a Decline in World Oil Output

London’s Financial Times reported on the International Energy Agency’s “World Energy Outlook”. Petroleum output, according to the agency, is declining. At the same time the world’s demand is increasing. Currently world oil output just meets oil demand. The world won’t feel this energy crunch in the short term due to slowed demand as a result of the current economic crisis. But when demand picks up again oil demand will continue to increase as oil production continues to decrease. Without more investment in oil exploration and opening of new fields supply will fail to meet demand and crude oil prices will once again skyrocket and shortages will become a reality. Israel having a domestic oil supply on line by the time by the time a world economic resurgence hits will have a tremendous impact on the nation’s financial and political future. Now, while world markets are down, is the time for Israel to increase oil and gas exploration and secure its energy future.

Here’s the Financial Times excerpt:

“The FT reports output from the world’s oilfields is declining faster than previously thought, the first authoritative public study of the biggest fields shows. Without extra investment to raise production, the natural annual rate of output decline is 9.1%, the International Energy Agency says in its annual report, the World Energy Outlook, a draft of which has been obtained by the Financial Times. The findings suggest the world will struggle to produce enough oil to make up for steep declines in existing fields, such as those in the North Sea, Russia and Alaska, and meet long-term de­mand. The effort will become even more acute as prices fall and investment decisions are delayed. The IEA, the oil watchdog, forecasts that China, India and other developing countries’ demand will require investments of $360bn each year until 2030. The agency says even with investment, the annual rate of output decline is 6.4 per cent. The decline will not necessarily be felt in the next few years because demand is slowing down, but with the expected slowdown in investment the eventual effect will be magnified, oil executives say”

No related posts.