Quote:
Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe
The only shortages are in refineries, and money to buy it at the pump. Peak oil is a promulgated myth.
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Yeah, I heard that on MSNBC and CNN too. Here are the actual refinery utilization numbers form the DOE. (ie what percentage of the US refinery capacity is online)
1997 --- 95.1%
1998 --- 95.3%
1999 --- 92.9%
2000 --- 92.3%
2001 --- 92.2%
2002 --- 89.9%
2003 --- 91.9%
2004 --- 92.3%
2005 --- 90.4%
2006 --- 89.4%
2007 --- 88.8%
If we were short on refineries, 2007 would not be the lowest utilization year in the last 10. Also interesting to note the recent similarity in the world crude production trend and the utilization trend.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pnp_wiup_dcu_nus_w.htm