engleski

Petroleum production in light of future global energy demands

Dynamic analysis of the petroleum production shows different rates of growth throughout elapsed time. The most remarkable fall happened in 1973, due to the world energy crisis. After that, petroleum industry has never again reached as high exponential increase as before. In 2003, production of oil and natural gas was about 6000 million tones of oil equivalent, covering full 60% of the global energy demands. On the basis of present global energy consumption it can be predicted that petroleum and natural gas will remain the major resources for the 21st century. Today we are, unfortunately, facing high air pollution that is significantly caused by petroleum usage. Emissions of the internal combustion engines applied in traffic facilities, households and in various industries, together with the exhaust of thermal power plants fueled by residual oil form almost the whole quantity of greenhouse gases. The role of renewables in the world energy consumption is still below 10%, which should be more supported, not as a solution of global energy problems, but as a benefit to lower air pollution. Another solution for a lighter energy future can be investment in research and development of new clean technologies, which would prevent the high environmental impact of fossil fuels.

petroleum development; renewable energy

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