Energy and the Environment
The Rise and Rise of Corporate and Social Responsibility in the Energy Industry Petroleum operations have not always sat comfortably with concern for the environment or sustainability. However, over time…
In the News
Salt Lake City – An Attractive Destination
A beautiful location overlooked by the Rocky Mountains; history, culture, four seasons and the “greatest snow on earth” – Salt Lake City in Utah has plenty to offer the visitor.…
High Expectations Morocco
With landscape varying from the wonderful, snowy High Atlas mountains to the sand dunes of the Sahara, vibrant Morocco is one of Africa’s largest energy consumers, yet it remains remarkably…
Paradigm Shift for US Oil Production
The last time that the oil weapon was used was during the oil crisis in 1973. The US no longer had an oil buffer for the West to lean on…
The Powers That Be
On my ‘energy’ bookshelf, there are dozens of books published over the past two decades. Some of them argue for Peak Oil; others refute it; still others paint a bloody…
A Comprehensive Introduction
This textbook has lots of information of great value to petroleum geoscientists, both students and professionals. It would have been even better with more examples from modern oil and gas…
Goodbye to the Gas Guzzler!
The price of petrol at the pump in the US is – in fact, in some places has already exceeded – the psychologically important $4/gallon (EIA). Petrol prices have risen…
Bahrain: 80 Years and Still Producing
For such a small country, Bahrain certainly knows how to make an impression on the world. It is currently celebrating the 80th anniversary of the first discovery of oil in…
The Arab Spring and the Oil Industry
What has been the impact of recent political developments in North Africa on the oil and gas industry? The challenges facing the oil and gas industry in North Africa in…
Rupert Hoare’s Mountain Views
Rupert Hoare was widely known and respected in the E&P industry. What was not so widely known was that he was an extraordinarily accomplished rock climber, mountaineer and ski-mountaineer and…
The Geology of London
With the Olympics upon us it is an appropriate time to reveal the geology of London for our visitors. A brief introduction to the geology is followed by five itineraries…
Sudan and South Sudan Conflict Increases Pressure on Oil Prices
On 9 July 2011 when South Sudan finally gained independence from Khartoum, we warned against the risk of increasing political tension as several critical issues had not been resolved before…