2007-02-23 16:56:38 · 7 answers · asked by mansiho 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Soon, very soon, I'm afraid!
However, one shouldn't forget the technology of bio-regenerable fuels has been around for nearly a Century!
We still have Ethanol and bio-diesel; which, logically, we should've been focussing on developing to the Commercially viable levels of mass production!
At present, it's limited to small time producers making and selling small quantities! The Corporates haven't been able to get into this, right now, because the OPEC lobby is blocking every effort to bring this about so that they squeeze out every little dollar out of their dwindling resources!?
Anyway, we have the fuel cell, bio-regenerable fuels, electric cars and other alternatives open to us; so, no panic!!!!
All the best!
Cheers!
Simon Templar
2007-02-23 17:04:12 · answer #1 · answered by In Memory of Simon Templar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question, no one seems to really know. It is possible that there is in fact more available than was first realized. What were dry wells have been found to be refilling with oil. What makes oil to begin with? Is there other sources of material by which oil can be made? There is certainly enough pressure at those depths, as well as the environment to create chemicals that would make more oil. We just do not know. Our knowledge of synthesis of oil could very well point to the subterranean processes that are at work now to continue to produce oil.
So far as making more, a ton of good old human garbage under the right amount of pressure will produce 1 barrel of oil. Our garbage could very well help in any fuel needs in the future. There are also plants that produce a sap that is very similar to oil such that fuels could be distilled from them. Mother Earth News did a report on this very thing several years ago.
2007-02-23 18:53:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tyler Miller's book, "Living In The Environment" gives our oil supply 42-93 years before depletion; quite a range! There is no clear-cut answer because our technology is constantly evolving. A lot of the oil that is recoverable now wouldn't have been recoverable with the technology available 30 years ago. And there are probably pockets of petroleum that aren't recoverable or even known about right now that we may have access to in the future.
It's safe to asssume that the large reserves of petroleum such as those in the Middle East have all been discovered. Current oil exploration usually turns up only smaller pockets of oil, such as ANWR in Alaska. These pockets require multiple drilling and sometimes don't even justify the cost.
In any event, I wouldn't be too worried. The ridiculous gas prices of the last few years have got a lot of citizens to ponder this issue that otherwise wouldn't have; somewhat of a blessing in disguise. There is now more public outcry for research on making alternative fuels economically viable.
2007-02-23 23:43:19 · answer #3 · answered by jesse2337 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will probably be a very long time but it is still an important concern. Hopefully there is a lot of research being done to find alternative sources of energy. I mean we know there is definitely some of that going on. Wouldn't that be lovely if someone discovered a renewable, infinite, powerful, reliable source of energy?
2007-02-23 17:05:23 · answer #4 · answered by person 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we dont know for sure. We have been guessing for generations in the 70's they said we had 30 years more. now they still say we have 30 years more. cant get a straight answer
2007-02-23 17:02:28 · answer #5 · answered by dave 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
by the time we burn up half of what's left, we wont have to worry much about oil or anything else.
2007-02-23 16:59:48 · answer #6 · answered by interlude 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
very shortly. it scares me too. i dont think our president cares much.
2007-02-23 16:59:57 · answer #7 · answered by Jul 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋