Arthur Berman: "BRICS+, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Metaphysics" | The Great Simplification #92

(Conversation recorded on October 5th, 2023)

On this episode, Art Berman returns to give a broad update on the state of global oil - from BRICS+ and shale oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and oil investment. As Art says, ‘oil is the economy’ and understanding the complex dynamics of the oil market provides insight into the entire economic system. How do geological luck and foreign policy create the global stage for oil markets? What is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, have we been misusing it, and does it matter in comparison to larger energy policy blunders? What are the current dynamics affecting oil prices and how will this affect the long term out-look of oil availability?

Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the Israel/Palestine events of last weekend.

About Arthur Berman:

Arthur E. Berman is a petroleum geologist with 36 years of oil and gas industry experience. He is an expert on U.S. shale plays and is currently consulting for several E&P companies and capital groups in the energy sector.

More TGS Content with Art:    • TGS Featuring Arthur Berman  

For Show Notes and More visit: https://www.thegreatsimplification.co...

00:00 - Episode highlight
00:33 - Introduction to Art
02:38 - Overview of the current world oil situation
09:16 - Alternative oil currency to the petrodollar?
11:01 - Effects of oil producing countries lowering their exports
14:38 - Growth in North American oil
16:33 - U.S. foreign policy in oil producing countries
24:05 - Energy blindness in political leaders?
27:31 - Shale oil in Europe
34:12 - Permian and Saudi Arabia
38:13 - Oil company profits
41:10 - US decline rates
48:21 - Relationship between oil and the economy
58:31 - Looking at the bigger picture
1:05:19 - U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)
1:08:56 - Draining the SPR
1:16:07 - Art’s advice to listeners
1:19:38 - Advice to young people
1:22:10 - Career advice for young people
1:25:31 - What Art cares most about
1:27:21 - Magic wand
1:29:13 - Future conversations