It occurred to me late in life that humans will always find a next productive use of energy when it is made available at an economical price. Literally, the wealth and health of the species is governed by how much power is set in front of it.
Cheap electricity? We’ll make more better cheaper things for people. Cheaper hydrocarbons? Same.
We are a species limited by few things. Our imaginations and capabilities will expand to productively consume energy.
DRILL BABY, DRILL!!!
UK oil production from the dying North Sea: -8% (!!!) Norway is down to 1.8 mbpd, too. -9%. Europe is positively starved for oil and gas, by their own choice.
Saudi oil consumption exceeds Japan with a fraction of the population. Electricity comes from oil in KSA. They have no natgas. This makes Saudi Arabia the #4 oil consumer in the world, with its tiny population.
Correction above, Russia consumed 3.8 mbpd in 2024, up from 3.6.