Geologist Scott Montgomery tells The Conversation Weekly podcast how strategic oil reserves work and why the U.S. keeps oil in underground salt caverns.
- Lecturer in International Studies, University of Washington
For sheer abundance and ease of production of oil and natural gas, it simply doesn’t get any better than the Persian Gulf region.
Nations’ stores of petroleum can dampen price shocks in the short term, but as reserve supplies dwindle, economic pain may continue.
Donald Trump says he is a big fan of oil and gas. His actions may not be of great interest to the industry. And the results may not be what he says he wants.
Critical minerals are in demand around the world for military, technology and other uses. A geoscientist shares what’s known about Ukraine’s reserves, which could help the country recover from war.
The Danish-controlled island is coveted by some external actors who see the vast territory as a vector for precious minerals and great-power politics.
Biden vowed ‘no more drilling on federal lands,’ but Russia’s war on Ukraine and pressures at home are hard to ignore.
The total release could reach 180 million barrels over six months, which would make it the biggest in the history of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Price shocks are a feature of the global oil market, not a bug – and even when governments take many steps to grow supply or reduce demand, it can be years before prices ease.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his country’s massive energy reserves effectively for political influence. But with war in Ukraine, nations are looking for ways to cut those ties.
Biden ordered the release of 50 million barrels of crude oil to tamp down rising gas prices, the largest drawdown in the reserve’s history.
Afghanistan has vast mineral resources that have long attracted interest from outside countries, but a lack of infrastructure and political instability means they’re unlikely to aid its economy now.
When announcing financial penalties on Russia earlier this year, Biden hinted at the prospect of ‘further’ sanctions. An energy scholar explains what Biden may have meant.
Joe Biden has sweeping plans for a clean energy revolution. Congress will be a big speed bump, but it can’t block everything.
The Trump administration is opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing – a step that’s as much about politics as it is about energy.
Has the world entered an era of ultra-low prices? An energy scholar argues that a long period of low oil prices will set the U.S. – and globe – back on the economy and the environment.
Tensions between Iran and the US have spiked, but oil prices have barely budged. Why not? And is the oil markets’ muted response an accurate reflection of the rising tensions?
Energy-wise, the fallout from the attack on Saudi oil facilities has so far been very muted. The surge in oil production in the US over the past decade helps explain why.
The Trump administration plan to expand offshore oil and gas production along US coastlines faces serious roadblocks. But there are smarter ways to pursue ‘energy dominance.’
Drivers buy less gas when filling the tank burns holes in their wallets.
Advanced small modular reactors, known as SMRs, will probably have many advantages over older technology. But it’s not yet known how they will stack up against other sources of electricity.
Does the work of the international agency responsible for verifying whether Iran was in compliance with the deal matter to the US?
Who do you call when there’s a nuclear crisis? The International Atomic Energy Agency, unless the crisis involves North Korea – then things get complicated.
As fusion becomes more technically viable, it’s time to assess whether it’s worth the money because breakthroughs in the lab don’t guarantee success in the marketplace.
Alaska and oil proponents are cheering a move to open up an ecologically sensitive part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling – a position environment supporters can’t abide.
Contact Scott for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Location: Seattle, Washington, U.S.
- Website
- Article Feed
- Joined
