Beyond Oil: Intelligent Response to Peak Oil Impacts; a Dialogue with the Experts

Denver, Colorado

November 10-11 2005

A high-level conference to discuss the impacts of a peak in world oil production will be held in Denver, Colorado on November 10-11, 2005. The two-day forum is sponsored by the City and County of Denver and ASPO-USA. Keynote speakers include Matt Simmons, author of Twilight in the Desert, a study of Saudi Arabia’s petroleum resources, and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, (R-Md.). Other speakers will include Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper; Michael Ashar, Suncor-USA; Peter Dea, Western Gas Resources; Jeremy Gilbert, Chief Petroleum Engineer (ret.) with British Petroleum; oil industry analyst Henry Groppe; Chris Skrebowski, ed. Petroleum Review; and Tom Petrie of Petrie/Parkman.
AGENDA OVERVIEW:

Day 1: Oil supply, both conventional and unconventional; the fundamentals driving peak oil; alternative fuels status and issues; an update from car manufacturers.

Day 2: Peak oil (summary); economic risks and mitigating actions; national security/foreign policy issues; demand reduction strategies; exploration of policy options, especially at the municipal level.
GOALS OF CONFERENCE:

* To catalyze a broad and responsible public discussion of Peak Oil projections, repercussions and mitigating actions by opinion leaders in all sectors at all levels; and

* To prepare and position Denver and other communities across the country to better understand and formulate planned responses to Peak Oil challenges;

* To inaugurate ASPO-USA (the US affiliate of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil) the mission of which is to build an informed and active community throughout the US that seeks to learn more about the challenges posed by Peak Oil while also promoting and implementing proactive measures today that will minimize economic disruption in the future.

KEY MESSAGES:

Some of the key themes and messages that will be explored and delivered throughout the two days are the following:

1. A peak in world oil production is imminent, likely within 10 years. We’re not “running out.� Oil will continue to be produced for many decades to come, albeit in smaller quantities. But since oil provides nearly 40% of world energy, peak oil will be a significant turning point in human history, with far-reaching consequences.

2. Growth in world energy demand will continue to escalate. The demand for energy in countries like China and India is growing rapidly. This is likely to continue, even in the face of higher petroleum prices.

3. The end of cheap oil. As we approach the peak, oil prices will trend higher. The transportation of people, food, and manufactured goods relies on inexpensive oil. What will peak oil mean for the nation's $575 billion travel and tourist industries? To land use and development patterns? To world trade?

4. Reducing the impacts. Citizens, corporations, cities, and states can take intelligent actions now to prepare for more expensive petroleum and to mitigate the negative impacts of peak oil. Public-private leadership and energy education are essential.
HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS:

Renowned and respected oil industry analysts and experts together with interested opinion leaders and decision-makers including the following confirmed speakers

Mayor John Hickenlooper (Denver)
U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
Matthew R. Simmons, Chairman Simmons & Co. International, author of Twilight in the Desert
Michael Ashar, Exec. Vice-President Suncor-USA
Dr. Roger Bezdek, President MISI
Charlie Brister, Oil Field Technician
Peter Dea, CEO Western Gas Resources
Jeremy Gilbert, ret. BP Chief Petroleum Engineer (Ireland)

Henry Groppe, Founder Groppe, Long & Littell
Charles T. Maxwell, Senior Energy Analyst, Weeden & Co.
Tom Petrie, Co-Founder, Petrie/Parkman
Chris Skrewbowski, ed. Petroleum Review (London)
Dr. John Turner, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dr. Michael Pacheco, National Renewable Energy Laboratory