ABSTRACT
Does oil have a future? This question is being asked from time to time by those who live in countries heavily dependent for their economic well-being on revenues accruing from petroleum exports. I also suspect that oil companies concerned about business prospects in the very long run ask themselves this question. BP’s recent choice of the “Beyond Petroleum” motto may suggest that this concern is genuine, although some cynical commentators believe that the only purpose is to placate environmentalists and other petrophobic groups.
