Sunday December 04, 2005

Inventor of public key cryptography comments on peak oil

energybulletin.net :

... in 1998 I became friends with a man who used to be head of world wide E&P for one of the major oil companies and asked him "Ever since I've been a kid, I hear that we're going to run out of oil. And yet, today, we're using more than ever before [and it was then near $10 a barrel, a local minimum]. What do you think?"

He proceeded to tell me about Hubbert's prediction for US oil production peaking in the 1970's, how it was laughed at, but became a reality. He then told me (as your site also does) that the same analysis applied to world wide production predicted a peak sometime in the first decade of the 21st century and that he thought that was realistic. Looks like he was right! I thought this independent input from an "oil man" might be of interest.

Our thinking needs to break out of the rut it's been caught in for so long, so thanks again for the site.

(4 December 2005)

When we received this email, I thought I recognized the name... Sure enough:

Hellman is best known for his invention, with Diffie and Merkle, of public key cryptography. In addition to many other uses, this technology forms the basis for secure transactions on the Internet.

- Professor Martin Hellman was one of the authors of the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol - if you've accessed a secure website for doing online ordering or Internet banking, chances are you've made use of his work.

(2005-12-04 23:14:16 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

Most popular blog postings on lowem.log :

1. 2010 Nissan Leaf electric car specifications : 107hp, 24KWh lithium-ion batteries, 100-mile range
2. 2010 Honda CR-Z hybrid, 2010 Honda Fit/Jazz hybrid models confirmed
3. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
4. Singapore SIBOR rate falls to 0.69% in Jan 2009, lowest since Apr 2004
5. How to insert currency exchange rates into Google Spreadsheets
6. Singapore : Nuclear power not ruled out
7. Live spot gold price quotes chart on COMEX
8. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option

Featured articles on lowem.log :

1. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
2. 2010 Honda CR-Z hybrid, 2010 Honda Fit/Jazz hybrid models confirmed
3. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
4. Honda, GS Yuasa JV to make lithium-ion batteries for 2010/2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
5. New efficient nanotech materials may boost enhanced geothermal power systems
6. NYMEX crude oil recovers from $32.40 low after 2.2 mbpd OPEC production cut announced
7. Singapore property market recovery seen as private home sales surge 52% in Jul 2009
8. Singapore SIBOR rate falls to 0.69% in Jan 2009, lowest since Apr 2004