Friday, July 24, 2009

Tar sands and peak oil in 1930

From the News from 1930 blog via the Financial Times' Energy Source:

Those debates about technological advances and resources go a long, long way back. From the News from 1930 blog:

22 July, 1930:

Pennsylvania oil producers agree to cut oil production 30%. “This makes strange reading for very old-timers recall that as far back as 50 years or more ago the majority believed the oil reserves of Western Pennsylvania would be exhausted in a few years.”

Meanwhile, a month earlier, in Canada:

Canadian government announces a program to develop the Alberta tar sands. Applicants must have the rights to a promising process for mining the oil sands. After receiving a permit experimental work must begin within 60 days and at least $15,000 must be spent within the first year.