The future of oil

[wd9]

Given that we are past the point of less oil being found versus being used (the Hubbard curve) and that more countries like India, Asia, China, etc are ramping use vertically, where do we see agriculture and the value of food? Can we farm without oil?

[TOM4CWB]

WD9;

I grew 38bu/ac 5020 @ 47.5% oil last year. BioDiesel 800lb, or about 100gals/ac. @ 90% extraction. I am paying $.85/l or $350/ac fuel production.

Looks to me like there is a great future.

Now, we need to find a cheap way to make Nitrogen from the Biogas/Digester that we can run on the residue from the Canola/Ethanol DDG's and we will be set! We will call this "Organic Nitrogen"!

I heard the Premiers and FEDS on CPAC tonight... there is a revolution going on in thinking about energy... no question.

[cottonpicken]

There is a lot of evidence suggesting were at peak oil right now.

[jensend]

so at 12 l/bu (i hear 10 is more the norm) and $8.50 canola that's 70 cent diesel just for the feedstock. how much govt. subsidy will it take for processing and transportation to make biodiesel compete with the diesel price? this will be an expensive undertaking. i know they will develop higher oil content seed and the technology will advance but the same will be happening with other oilseeds. i don't think this is the slamdunk that the promoters are hyping. if nothing else it's gonna take a while.

[wd9]

This discussion should be more in the future as yes CP, it is called the Hubbards' peak, has occured. Renewable energy using all the land mass would provide about 2% of the world's energy needs. Not an option. All the uranium in the world would only last about 20 years to replace today's consumption. Hydrogen uses 6 gallons of gas to produce enough hydrogen to drive as far as 1 gallon of gas.

Today we use about 85ish million barrels per day and estimates are at 240 million use per day for for 2040. Since oil stocks are on the way down, where is ag and the price of commodities going to be in say 2050?

Tom, think about it, fuel, fertilizers, chemicals, plastics, everything we take for granted today comes from a barrel of oil. Without it where would we be?

[charliep]

Just curious about how much push there is from the farm community to include biodiesel in farm fuel? The reason for putting canola oil in fuel have as much to do with environmental issues (sulphur) and lubricity as creating a new market for agricultural commodities.

Being one of those latte drinking city types, I look forward to access to European technology diesel engines in a car (makes more sense than carrying around a monster battery/being on the adoption phase of the hybrid technology). Issues are choice of brands (more than just VW) and having more service stations sell diesel.

[jensend]

charlie i was told by a smartcar owner that after this model year mercedes won't be offering the diesel because canadian diesel fuel is too dirty and is causing problems.

[cottonpicken]

Yes wd i remember telling you about hubbert.In march 2006 under the topic oil prices(if you care to go dumpster diving).When i was a pilly.

Nice to see you catching up.

Oil is everything.
Cheap oil is everything.
Wars are being fought over it.
Humanity depends upon it.
1 barrel of oil=2000 man hours of labour

Of course grain prices will go up.

[kamichel]

Jensend it is likely the american diesel is of less quality.

[wd9]

CP it is Hubbard not Hubbert.

If not for agriville and your posts I would stand in ignorance. (Cue eyes rolling)