Harold Vinegar on retrieving oil via in-situ upgrading
Image Credit: Shell
“I think the unconventionals will play a major role in the world’s energy future. I think they have to,” said physicist Harold Vinegar of Royal Dutch Shell.
Those “unconventionals” are reserves of oil that can’t be easily pumped to the surface. Dr. Vinegar spoke of their potential for the coming century with EarthSky’s Jorge Salazar – and about a new way to recover unconventional oil by drilling holes and placing heaters underground.
This podcast was made possible in part by Shell – encouraging dialog on the energy challenge.
More EarthSky Clear Voices for Science podcasts:
Carl Mesters on gas-to-liquids technology
Jan van der Eijk of Shell on ‘three hard truths’
Lee Schipper looks ahead at transportation choices
John Barry on carbon capture and storage
Our thanks to:
Harold Vinegar
Chief Scientist
Royal Dutch Shell
I am so pleased that Shell is working so hard to protect their environment in their quest to secure the hidden oil. Awesome!
I believe Lisa is being sarcastic., and I agree 100%. Oil is the problem not the solution and more oil is definitly not the answer.I think the sooner the oil companies power over goverments is broken the better.At present I believe the answer is electric cars with scientific energy put into better batteries.Or perhaps check through some of the oil companies hidden files if not already distroyed.
Actually, I was NOT being sarcastic. I am trying to look at things in real time. And right now, electric cars and other non-oil consumer products are not totally ready. And we don’t know when they will be . So until then, we need to secure oil the most environmentally-friendly way we can. And kudos to Shell for at least considering the environment as they manufacture their product we STILL need.
Even with innovation and development of alternatives like electric cars and more efficient batteries, materials costs and technological limitations will ensure that fossil fuels will make up the majority of the energy mix, especially that serving transportation needs, for at least the remainder of the century.
Electric cars are nothing new. They actually preceeded the widespread use of the internal combustion engine in the early 1900’s And fossil fuels will still be used heavily to produce the electricity needed to keep recharging the batteries. There is no direct 1:1 replacement for fossil fuels; however we all hope to begin seeing a broader mix of alternatives entering the total energy picture. With greater numbers of people globally increasing their appetites for energy, alternatives will be needed to keep pace with demand.
It is often said in financial circles that you cannot save your way to prosperity. Nowhere is this truer than in the energy debate. Conservation makes sense, but only as a part of the overall solution. The big picture is a complicated puzzle, with many pieces. We all have a role to play in making the pieces fit – even the oil companies!
Shell should be commended for their efforts to balance their efforts to maximize conventional oil and gas production, develop unconventional oil in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner, and make significant investments into the development of renewable energy from a variety of sources. It is important to develop more energy with less CO2 and pollution, but even with the increased investments into renewable energy sources, their development is not keeping pace with the rising demand. In order to supply for the demand, we need to support responsible companies in their efforts. Electric cars sound great until you consider where the power will come from to run them. Often it is from grid power, often from coal fired power plants. As individuals, we all need to be more efficient in our use of energy and support efforts to develop new technologies to meet our needs. That includes driving less, using public transportation, and turning off the lights when you leave a room. Every action makes a difference. You are responsible too.
Electric cars use more fossil fuel than gasoline powered cars. Fact.
If we drastically cut our energy use, we will drastically cut our economy. Less jobs. Less food. Less electricity. Less medical care.
Our earth is fine, our economy and political culture is in danger from rampant socialism. We stop it or we will re-enter the dark ages.