August’19 Technical Lunch: The Exceptional Price Performance of Oil – Explanations and Prospects

SPE WA are proud to present the details of our August technical luncheon.

Oil price developments over the past 45 years have been truly spectacular. In constant money, prices rose by 759% between 1970-72 and 2012-14. This can be compared with a price index for metals and minerals, which increased by a mere 38%. Analysis shows that the exceptionality of oil’s upward price push over the past decades cannot be adequately explained by cost-raising depletion or by OPEC interventions. The better explanation is an inadequate development of production capacity, caused by above-ground hurdles; e.g. onerous fiscal regimes and conflicts over resource rents.

Despite past experience, a turning point has been reached where scarcity, uncertain supply and high prices will be replaced by abundance, undisturbed availability and suppressed price levels. Technical advances in drilling and hydraulic fracturing, which led to fast rising oil and natural gas production in the US but is also applicable to unconventional and conventional formations worldwide, will assure ample and diversified future supply. Although short-run price spikes may occur, oil prices are unlikely to prevail above the total production costs of new supplies, which are estimated to settle at $40-60/barrel in the coming two decades. Expanding global gas output and trade will likely depress gas prices as well. It is concluded that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in satisfying energy demand, from Asia to the Americas, with innovation that will allow for economic production in spite of low prices.

Presenter – Roberto F. Aguilera

Roberto F. Aguilera is an Energy Economist with Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, and a consultant with Servipetrol, Canada. From 2013 to 2017, he was an analyst with the OPEC Secretariat, Vienna, and a co-author of their annual World Oil Outlook. Previous affiliations include the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis; University of Vienna; and Catholic University of Chile. He has participated in numerous energy studies, including with the World Petroleum Council and US National Petroleum Council. He holds PhD and Master degrees from Colorado School of Mines, and a Bachelor degree from Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. His publication record comprises The Price of Oil, a book published by Cambridge University Press in English and Chinese. Roberto is a SPE Distinguished Lecturer 2018-2019.

Students (read below)!!!

SPE WA in conjunction with our sponsors tNavigator (Rock Flow Dynamics) and Expro Group, are kindly sponsoring students to attend the monthly technical luncheons. Please fill out an application form, explaining why you are interested in attending the SPE WA technical luncheons. Successful applicants will be notified via email. Note that applications will only be accepted up to one week prior to the event.

Free tickets available for Students. Please apply through your Student Chapter.