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+Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
PEAK OIL
ANOTHER INCONVENIENT TRUTH
A research paper on M.K. Hubbert’s Peak Oil Theory
In partial fulfillments toFr. Daniel J. McNamara, S. J.For the Science 10 ClassSection CCRaymund Vincent AaronLuis C. VegaII BS ManagementMajor in Communications Technology ManagementSubmitted on the 19
th
day of MarchS.Y. 2006-2007
 
 I.Relevance of Oil 
Oil does not just refer to the oil inside our gas tanks. Oil including other Petrochemicalsand natural gasses are used in many other processes connected to our everyday lives. Most of these are needs that we value most in our lives. However, its continuous presence could be jeopardized come the change in oil supply and the increase in its price.
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 Food 
In the article “Eating Fossil Fuels” by Geologist Dale Allen Pfeiffer, he mentions thatapproximately 10 calories of fossil fuels are required to produce every 1 calorie of food eaten inthe US. The high ratio is primarily because of the fact that the different steps in producing foodactually relies on oil, petroleum products or other depleting natural resources.First of all, chemicals used for growing crops are dependent on these resources.Pesticides needed to protect crops are made from oil. Aside from this, there are also commercialfertilizers made from ammonia, which is made from “nearly peaking” natural gasses. Farmingimplements also rely on the abundance of affordable oil. Tractors and trailers are constructed and powered using oil products. Another example is that food storage systems such as refrigeratorsare manufactured in oil-powered plants and are run by electricity which comes from coal or natural gas. Transporting these food materials also play a big part on how food supply dependson oil. In the US, the average piece of food is transported around 1,400 miles before it gets to aconsumer’s plate.
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Water 
Globally, commercial energy consumed for delivering water is more than 26 Quads,which is already 7% of total world consumption. Energy is very much needed for the extraction,
 
cleaning and distribution of water. Energy is used for needed processes such as lifting groundwater. And after this, more energy for pumping though pipes. And lastly, more energy is neededfor its treatment and desalination in the different facilities.
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Modern medicine
The progress of medical knowledge and practice in the modern era has depended on thesteady rise in fossil-fuel usage. Petroleum is the key ingredient in the wide variety of plasticmedical supplies used in medical and surgical life-support systems. It is used in medicines suchas cough syrups, antibiotics, antibacterials, sedatives, tranquillizers and also for pill coatings.Petrochemicals are also used in specialized products such as dermatological creams. It is also animportant substance for both production and cleaning of medical instruments and supplies suchas anesthesia, catheters, dishes, drains, gloves, heart valves, needles, syringes, tubes, etc.
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 National defense
Many issues come up when it comes to national defense and oil. A major example is theIraq wars. It has been reported that battles are not just for control over Iraq's cities but there isalso a constant struggle to protect its petroleum infrastructures against sabotage and attacks. Thislong-running war for oil has been creating a major impact not just to economy but to people’slives as well.
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 Production of Plastics
Problem in oil can affect everyday materials such as foam cups and nylon, which arelargely made from oil-based chemicals. Other products like carpets, automotive bumpers,dashboards, tires, CD cases, and plastic boxes that use a blend of chemicals from oil and natural
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11 / 27 / 2010This doucment made it onto the Rising List!
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