What energies for tomorrow?

This book focusses on fossil fuels but treats of energies in general. It makes a status of the present day situation and presents some future perspectives. Many international and national oil companies are progressively becoming multi-energy companies, like many companies of the para-petroleum industry. In a similar manner, the energy subject can be discussed only from the point of view of the energy mix, i.e. the various usable energy sources. The book comprises four main parts: 1 - the worldwide aspects of the energy sector: markets, prices, companies constraints and strategies; 2 - the petroleum industry, from the front end to the back end; 3 - the other energy sources: coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, renewable energies; 4 - energies and society. The energy production is approached only from its technical and economical aspects. The energy saving is only briefly presented in the 'energy and society' and 'energy and transports' chapters. Electricity is mainly presented in the part devoted to nuclear energy, while the other power generation means are presented in the chapters about primary energy use and consumption. Hydrogen is approached in a very concise way because of its secondary aspects and its low use. (J.S.)