Shell, one of the world’s largest energy company, has on it’s website a letter by the CEO Jeroen van der Veer, where he talks about the energy future of the World. The article is surprisingly frank and honest. Interesting perspective.

But what’s more interesting is that if you read between the lines, I think Jeroen is implying that there’s going to be a Global Oil War soon. He calls the scenario the “Scramble Scenario” .

Like an off-road rally through a mountainous desert, it promises excitement and fierce competition. However, the unintended consequence of “more haste” will often be “less speed,” and many will crash along the way.

He goes on to say:

…nations rush to secure energy resources for themselves, fearing that energy security is a zero-sum game, with clear winners and losers. The use of local coal and homegrown biofuels increases fast. Taking the path of least resistance, policymakers pay little attention to curbing energy consumption – until supplies run short. Likewise, despite much rhetoric, greenhouse gas emissions are not seriously addressed until major shocks trigger political reactions.

This is pretty shocking language from a CEO of an oil company. What he’s saying makes a lot of sense. Countries will scramble to protect their energy interests first. This is already happening. China has all but stopped Coal exports. Australia is selling Uranium only to Allies. China is rushing to make friends with African dictators because they have a bunch of oil. Russia last week publically threatened anyone with a Nuclear attack if it’s “allies” (read: Iran) are threatened.

Quite scary.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...