Interesting interview:

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/11464/

I didn't realize that there was that much oil available via shale.

It is relatively expensive to produce (about $30 - $45 per barrel) at least in the early years of production. If Canada's experience with tar sand extraction is a good model, after 20 years of production, and at significant volumes, the per-barrel cost could come down to about $15 per barrel.

Extracting oil from shale requires a lot of water, which is something of an operational issue for Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, where the largest oil/shale field is located.

So, what you're saying is, despite it being expensive to produce, it is a heck of a lot cheaper than what we are currently paying OPEC when we have to go to them?

You know, I hate to have to say this as I don't believe the government does much right, but maybe we need to have nationalized energy sources.

It's only cheaper if you can get someone to sell it to you at cost.

I don't know offhand what the cost per barrel is from traditional drilling.

Ok, let's say it isn't any cheaper, and in fact sells on the open market for twice what oil is selling for when we import it. Is it not still a commodity that will increase our nations economy?

That's true, BF. And, there are currently 10 pilot/test plants operating in Colorado and Utah today. The question is when they will be 'ready for prime time.'

That depends almost entirely on what you have to drill through.

Bah! Oil shale. That's so 8 hours ago. The 21st century solution is oil producing bacteria. Viva science! Problem solved!!

http://themoderatevoice.com/science/ener...save-the-world/

If only we could use the oil from pre-teen faces for fuel!

How about this:


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,367642,00.html

Scientists Find Microbes That Eat Garbage, Excrete Crude Oil
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

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"Ten years ago I could never have imagined I'd be doing this," says Greg Pal, 33, a former software executive, as he squints into the late afternoon Californian sun. "I mean, this is essentially agriculture, right? But the people I talk to — especially the ones coming out of business school — this is the one hot area everyone wants to get into."

He means bugs. To be more precise: the genetic alteration of bugs — very, very small bacteria — so that when they feed on agricultural waste such as wood chips or wheat straw, they do something extraordinary. They excrete crude oil.

Unbelievably, this is not science fiction. Pal holds up a small beaker of bug excretion that could, theoretically, be poured into the tank of the giant Lexus SUV next to us.

Not that Pal is willing to risk it just yet. He gives it a month before the first vehicle is filled up on what he calls "renewable petroleum." After that, he grins, "it's a brave new world."

Pal is a senior director of LS9, one of several companies in or near Silicon Valley that have spurned traditional high-tech activities such as software and networking and embarked instead on an extraordinary race to make $140-a-barrel oil from Saudi Arabia obsolete.

"All of us here — everyone in this company and in this industry — are aware of the urgency," Pal says.

well heck I missed that this got posted.... Oh well you can read it 2x

But imagine being that teen-aged geek of a boy with the pimple filled face that can't get girls.... That is, until after college when you've made millions pumping oil from your face!