This applauds the article by Richard Duncan (OGJ, May 26, 2003, p. 18) which affirms in lucid terms the undeniable fact that the world's supplies of the oil that makes possible and sustains the styles and qualities of life to which the developed countries are accustomed, and to which others aspire, are by now on the threshold of their inevitable decline.
With the world's oil-using population still increasing rapidly, Duncan's article provides a very sound basis for the world's economic, social, and commercial planners, as well as our political leaders, to commit long-overdue attention and urgently necessary actions and resources toward at least mitigating the unavoidably negative effects of the impending oil supply decline.
Alistair W. McCrone
President Emeritus
Humboldt State University
Arcata, Calif.
Peak rate of production
My compliments to OGJ for covering the many points of view about the inevitable peak rate of production of crude oil in the world.
The oil age will not end because we ran out of oil any more than the stone age ended because we ran out of stones. The question is the future rate of production.
As a petroleum engineer, I agree with Campbell's conclusions (OGJ, July 14, 2003, p. 38) and hope to heaven that he is too pessimistic
Wayne E. Swearingen
Swearingen Petroleum Management Inc.
Tulsa
