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Comment by maxglute | Hacker News Reader

I remember a recent investor report posted on HN about declining health of permian basin, and the economics of extraction will increasingly not make sense in 10 years. Seems like no brainer if shale and by connection LNG is on way out. Might also explain Biden stalling LNG expansions especially with NATO on the hook, maybe it's cynical electioneering to his base, but maybe the future of cheap US LNG is not bright vs renewables.

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Vaclav Smil's books about energy give some extra context. I have read his Power Density book (eye opening comparison of solar, wind, nuclear, fossil).

IIRC Gas extraction has an extremely high EROI (30x) initially, making it a highly productive extractive resource. But each gas well has a productive lifespan of approx 7 years requiring constant activity to sustain development.

Huge fan of Valclav Smil’s work. Note that the significant amount of water required to frack those wells is in the order of 1 million galls or more. Both sides of that is impacting the Edwards Aquifer[1]. Wastewater from wells is finally being treated, but it doesn’t seem to be a widespread practice, yet. It’s also possible that production declines after each subsequent refracking process.

—- 1 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwards_Aquifer

The fossil fuel capitalists are so very unhappy about this ban, they are still going on about it in the financial news. I have to say, I love it. Low natural gas prices directly benefit me, and isn't it our gas?

The price has certainly come down (look at henry hub chart..), but also winter has not been too cold..

They should ban oil exports next.. (for "national security")

Actually export tariffs would be better than outright bans.

Export tariffs are actually unconstitutional in the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Import-Export_Clause

Interesting.. the same section banned any limitation on the importation of slaves... at least that clause had a sunset date. Both clauses were basically: "don't touch our cash cow".

The price of consensus

Looking at that clause, it appears that it's only unconstitutional if the individual states do it. Doesn't say anything about the federal government or Congress. Or am I reading it wrong?

There are two clauses that ban export tariffs. One applies to states, the other to the Feds.

Very warm winter. People in my (usually Frosty) neighborhood are marvelling. It's remarkably warm this year.

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