Oil - ??
I suspect that profit is the driving force for oil and gas - when it's no longer generating enough profit then alternatives will be realised.
The recent high costs are due to supply and demand.
On a historical note though - Before and during WW2 Germany started to manufacture synthetic oil and gas (from coal) - low grade at first but gradually improved. It created deisel,gas and low octane petroleum at first but before long powered very high performance engines (from fighters to jets).
South Africa has been producing synthetic oil since the 80's and Germany has now been constucting production plants in the Ruhr.
The USA,Russia,Europe even the UK still has coal reserves - just not yet profitable as yet to use.
In the coming years when cheap oil is no longer available and there is a choice of alternatives in various quantities the choice will be made by what the consumer can most afford and/or enviromental concerns.
Interesting times!
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