Chevron going solar!

Ok, only sort of.  Actually, not much at all.  But it is interesting to read about.  They are going to use solar thermal to generate steam instead of natural gas – but have the gas generators for nights and backup.  And they are going to use the steam to produce oil.  But hey, every little bit helps, right?  Link.

Chevron Corp is building a solar plant to create the steam that boosts production at an aging California oilfield, in a pioneering project the company aims to replicate elsewhere if it works.

Cantarell falling fast

The output from Mexico’s supergiant is really going down.  A quick check of the last few months of production:

In that month (Nov 08), Cantarell produced 862 kb/day. In addition, Cantarell had started 2008 with January production of 1243 kb/day. Now let’s look at Cantarell’s production numbers for the most recent month of 2009, in July: 588 kb/day. As someone remarked on The Oil Drum, this looks to be a linear, rather than an exponential decline. Interesting observation. If Cantarell is indeed losing a steady 35 kb/day a month in production, then by Christmas of next year we’ll be close to zero.

Drought effects in Africa

I found this interesting tidbit in an article about the ongoing destruction of the Mau forest in Kenya:

The disaster is already present in Lake Nakuru, renowned for its spectacular flamingoes. The two rivers that feed the lake have dried up and the KWS is having to pump water from deep underground to keep the animals alive. Kenya’s vital tourist industry would buckle, he warns, as already the spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration has been ruined by the historically low levels of the Mara river. World-famous parks, like Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti would also be at risk.

It would be a shame if the forest is ravaged.  The current destruction is causing problems for power generation, leading to blackouts in Nairobi.  However, if the amazing natural spectacles (and the revenue they generate) are devasted by drought and man, then the future of Africa is truly bleak.

Fisker Karma hits the track

The Karma took a lap around Laguna Seca.  Looks like it will beat the Volt to market – but be much more expensive (unless the Volt goes way up).  Hopefully more plug in hybrids will follow, but I am eager for the Tesla Model S.  Details from the article:

A 22-kilowatt-hour lithium-manganese Enerdel battery provides power to a pair of electric motors that deliver a total of 403 horsepower — and a stunning 959 pound-feet of torque — to the rear wheels. Fisker claims the car has a range of 50 miles on electric power. As the battery winds down, a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection GM Ecotec engine will power a 175-kilowatt generator to keep the electric motors turning. The company says the car will deliver 100 mpg in combined city and highway driving.