The grave concern of governments for the negative impact on the world climate caused by the release into the atmosphere of CO2 resulting from human activity, and under human control, such as the burning and combustion of oil products from the refinery, of natural gas and coal (the fossil fuels) made it possible for the international community to agree to and establish a global climate agreement, viz. The Paris Agreement of 1915. In order to meet the objectives of this Agreement, governments will try (among other measures) to curb the consumption of fossil fuels. This will not be easy since, in particular in less advanced economies, fossil fuels are for the coming decades indispensable. In more advanced economies, there are alternatives available, but as long as a possible switching to nuclear fission energy meets with public opposition, even the more advanced economies will remain dependent on fossil fuels for the coming decades. In its deeply informed discussion of the involvement of industry and governments with the production and use of petroleum, the prodigious scope of the coverage encompasses the following and much more: technical and environmental aspects of the production of oil and natural gas; position and function of petroleum and natural gas in the economy; government policies and attitudes towards fossil fuels, particularly with respect to climate change; national and international regulation of onshore or offshore petroleum operations; how oil and natural gas markets work; old and new forms and manifestations of political risk; distinction between licence-based and contract-based petroleum legislation; production sharing agreements; and petroleum taxation. The author draws on laws, contracts, government policy documents, trade journals, and statistical data available from international organizations and institutes and international oil companies. Underlying much of the review and discussion are governmental concerns with the prospects for economic alternatives and control of CO2 emissions. The often conflicting policy options open to governments and the consequences, if any, for both oil and natural gas and the petroleum industry are reviewed and discussed. All statistics and projections regarding reserves, production and consumption of oil and natural gas have been updated. Because so much continues to happen in the realm covered by this book, all who depend on its previous editions will need this updated and significantly rewritten edition. An indispensable resource for petroleum policymakers at every level, this book is of special importance and interest to petroleum venture managers, as well as for lawyers, independent consultants, and other professionals who are required to give advice with respect to the economic, regulatory, and cooperative aspects of petroleum operations.

Economic, environmental and security considerations have hastened the need for diversification of energy resources. While oil remains a comparatively inexpensive form of energy and enjoys great demand – and which is therefore more strategically and economically important to the majority of countries worldwide than any other energy source – its future as a major and essential source of world energy remains uncertain in light of the decline of strategic reserves and the adverse effects of fossil fuels on the climate and environmental security. This is particularly significant given the limited application of other energy resources, which are unlikely to be sufficient in meeting increasing demand stemming from population growth, ongoing urban expansion and ever-higher rates of economic and social development. It is hard to escape the conclusion that the international competition for sources of energy will be more severe and frenzied in the years ahead, and that the military dimensions of this competition will become more pronounced. These trends are likely to gain momentum so long as the worldwide demand for imported petroleum continues to grow and the supply of exportable oil fails to expand proportionately. Under these circumstances, it becomes essential to accelerate the development of alternative sources of energy and to increase the efficiency of oil-powered systems, thereby reducing the need for imports. As much as is possible, these efforts should be undertaken in a cooperative manner, so as to reduce the risk of unintended conflict over contested sources of energy. The ECSSR 16th Annual Energy Conference, The Oil Era: Emerging Challenges, held at the Center on November 8–10, 2010, and the resultant papers contained in this volume, provide a professional, academic investigation of the challenges that lie ahead for the oil age. They explore various aspects of global energy demand, determine the position of GCC producers, and discuss the relationship between oil supplies and industrialization in the 21st century. They identify the dynamics of global oil demand and their implications for producers; the future of oil geopolitics and associated challenges; recent lessons learned in the industry; future prospects for supply; and the implications of climate change for oil policies in the GCC states.

Discusses the current world energy situation, and presents the idea that multinational oil companies should not be limited, but should be allowed to expand into alternative sources of energy.