Energy crossroads: The pinnacle and peril of peak oil

New Delhi [India], October 26 : In the world of energy, the concept of "peak oil" has been a source of debate and concern for decades. It refers to the point in time when global oil production reaches its maximum capacity, after which it is expected to decline, S&P Global report.
While this might seem like a natural part of resource utilization, the idea of peak oil has far-reaching implications and has generated both hope and fear in various quarters.
Peak oil is not a new idea. The historical peak in Pennsylvania oil production back in 1891 marked the beginning of speculation about the decline of the oil industry.
However, just like a mirage on the horizon, as one approaches the concept of peak oil, it seems to remain tantalizingly elusive.
For climate activists and those advocating for a transition to cleaner energy sources, reaching peak oil is seen as a significant milestone on the path to decarbonizing the global energy mix.
However, for oil-producing nations, it raises existential questions. Many countries, especially members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, heavily rely on oil revenues to sustain their budgets.
Analysts at S&P Global Commodity Insights estimate that oil will continue to constitute approximately 31 per cent of the global energy mix until 2030.
The peak in global oil and biofuel demand is anticipated in 2031 at around 110.3 million barrels per day.
Beyond this point, the growth of renewable energy sources is expected to impact global oil demand.
In May 2020, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a net-zero roadmap, calling for a cessation of new oil and gas projects to accelerate the arrival of peak oil and hasten the process of decarbonizing the economy.
This roadmap received immediate and sustained criticism from the oil industry, though some conceded that peak oil was inevitable.
Since then, the IEA has attempted to modify its message, suggesting that global fossil fuel demand may peak before the decade's end.
However, oil-producing nations remain unswayed by these revised scenarios.
On September 14, the Secretary General of OPEC accused the IEA of promoting fearmongering driven by ideology, asserting that it could destabilize the world economy.
OPEC itself has consistently postponed its forecasts for peak oil, now estimating that demand may not peak until at least 2045, according to its latest projection.
IEA's Executive Director, Fatih Birol, has emphasized that energy companies should continue to invest in existing oil and gas fields to manage the anticipated decline in production volumes.
However, he also noted that these facilities could become stranded assets as the world transitions to renewable energy sources.
The IEA predicts that renewables will contribute to over 80 per cent of emissions reductions, and they argue that electricity is poised to become the new "oil" for the global economy.
Already, there are indications that some countries, such as China, may be nearing their own peak oil demand, with a projected decline expected in the next three to five years.
In a world grappling with the complex dynamics of climate change and energy transitions, the concept of peak oil remains a contentious issue, reflecting the clash of economic interests, environmental goals, and the future of global energy.