Energy Sources and Energy Intensity for the Twenty-First Century (2002)

Energy Sources and Energy Intensity for the Twenty-First Century M.J. Economides; M.J. Economides University of Houston Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar A.S. Demarchos; A.S. Demarchos University of Houston Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar L. Saputelli L. Saputelli University of Houston Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE Gas Technology Symposium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, April 2002. Paper Number: SPE-75504-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/75504-MS Published: April 30 2002 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Economides, M.J., Demarchos, A.S., and L. Saputelli. "Energy Sources and Energy Intensity for the Twenty-First Century." Paper presented at the SPE Gas Technology Symposium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, April 2002. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/75504-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Unconventional Resources Conference / Gas Technology Symposium Search Advanced Search AbstractA country's wealth is closely related to its energy consumption. For example, the United States, the richest nation, with a per capita income of about $34,000 is also one of the highest consumers of energy with an annual per capita consumption of about 355 million British thermal units (MMBTU). Energy consumption is the most discernible national characteristic that separates rich from poor countries. The correlation between per capita energy consumption and per capita income among all nations is clear. However, the energy use in other developed countries is also a function of their geography, the makeup of those countries and even the cultural preferences of their citizens.Throughout the last two centuries, energy consumption in the creation of wealth and the form of primary energy sources, have not been constant. The process has been dynamic and technology has played a considerable role in the changing of the status of many countries, most notably Japan. Efficiencies developed elsewhere are adopted by other countries and lead to an increase in wealth.Globalization of the economy will certainly aid this process in the future.Energy consumption and heightened demand worldwide, may prove perhaps the most formidable international challenge of the twenty first century. As early as 2010, at current energy growth, chronic energy shortages are likely to emerge which may evolve into a serious energy crunch. The most logical way to prevent this situation is to transition rapidly to natural gas and, eventually, to hydrogen. In this paper, natural gas is viewed as the compelling next fuel of choice and as the necessary stepping-stone towards hydrogen. Also offered here are production, consumption and transition forecasts.IntroductionThe correlation is clear between the wealth and energy consumption of nations. In Figure 1, this point is shown clearly by comparing the per capita energy consumption and per capita income of the 15 largest economies (DOE/EIA, 2000, CIA, 2000). The United States, the richest nation in the group, has a per capita income of about $34,000 and is also one of the most intense users of energy with an annual per capita consumption of about 355 million British thermal units (MMBTU). When comparing Canada, a country of vast and thinly populated expanses, with the five largest European economies (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain) which consist of much smaller areas and highly concentrated and centralized urban centers, while all have relatively similar per capita incomes (e.g., $22,000) Canada has a very large per capita energy consumption (410 MMBTU), while the European countries have much smaller per capita energy consumptions (e.g., 160 MMBTU). China and India, the world's two most populous nations languish considerably behind with per capita incomes of $3800 and $1800 and per capita energy consumptions of 25 and 12.3 MMBTU, respectively. For China and India to catch up with the developed world, they will have to move up the curve. Keywords: demarcho, power plant, power generation, sustainability, energy intensity, asset and portfolio management, upstream oil & gas, economide, energy source, natural gas Subjects: Environment, Sustainability/Social Responsibility, Asset and Portfolio Management, Sustainable development This content is only available via PDF. 2002. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.