Thinking Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

228 Unit 5 Advanced problem solving

a    The first graph shows the proved gas

and oil reserves divided by the actual

consumption for each year; the second

graph shows actual energy consumption

over time; and the third graph shows the

percentage consumption of various fuels

in different regions of the world. Are the

following statements true or false, or

can they not be confirmed? Give a brief

reason for your answer in each case.

A The world’s oil supplies will run

out in about 40 years, and the gas

supplies in about 60 years.

B There are about 50% more proved

gas reserves than oil reserves.

C Over recent years, new discoveries

of oil and gas have just about

matched consumption.

D Oil and gas reserves are being

discovered at an increasing rate.

E Energy consumption is increasing,

whilst the known available reserves

are fixed.

b   Known oil reserves (expressed as

potential years of consumption) rose

during the 1980s and have been roughly

constant since. During the 1980s,

world consumption of oil rose by a

much smaller amount than the known

reserves. Consider what might have

caused the reserves graph to behave as

it has from 1980 to 2011.

c   A comment on this report from the

website of the Green Supply Chain stated:

The report certainly offers some

causes for alarm, starting with oil

development versus demand.

Global oil production increased by

1.8 million barrels per day or 2.2% in

2010, but did not match the rapid 3.1%

growth in consumption, hence leading

1    The graphs show estimates of world fossil

fuel reserves, world energy consumption

and regional energy consumption by fuel

source.

End-of-chapter assignments

Fossil fuel reserves

Proved reserves divided by annual consumption

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Potential years of supply

Oil Gas

1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

World energy consumption

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

1980198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004200620082010

Million tonnes of oil equivalent

Renewables

Hydroelectricity

Nuclear energy

Coal

Natural gas

Oil

Regional energy consumption 2010

(for key, see above)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

North

America

S. & Cent.

America

Europe &

Eurasia

AfricaAsia Pacic

Percentage of total regional

consumption

BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2011