Peak oil

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/peak-oil

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key drivers of production?Geological availability, extraction technology, and economic viability influence production rates
2. What is the future forecasts?Current estimates for global peak oil range from 2028 to 2050
3. Why does peak oil matter for us?If oil production slows, the fuel we use for cars and factories could become more expensive or harder to find, which can make things cost more and affect travel.
4. When might peak oil happen?Scientists think it could happen sometime between the late 2020s and the middle of the next century, but it depends on new technology and how much oil people need.

Petroleum Reserves: The estimated amount of crude oil that can be economically extracted from the Earth.
Extraction Technology: Methods and tools used to remove oil from underground reservoirs, such as fracking and horizontal drilling.
Economic Viability: The profitability of extracting oil, influenced by production costs and market prices.
Energy Transition: The global shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable and sustainable energy sources.