Long-Term Estimates of the Energy-Return-on-Investment (EROI) of Coal, Oil, and Gas Global Productions

- Through a price-based approach we assess the global energy-return-on-investment (EROI) of coal, oil, and gas.
- This is done from their respective beginning of reported production (respectively 1800, 1860, and 1890) to 2012.
- We also present a new theoretical EROI dynamic model based on Dale et al. (2011).
- We find that maximum EROI of global oil and gas productions have both already been reached in the 1930s-40s, respectively around 50(± 15):1 and 150(± 20):1.
- We estimate that the maximum EROI of global coal production will most likely be around 95(± 15):1 around the 2030s.

We use a price-based methodology to assess the global energy-return-on-investment (EROI) of coal, oil, and gas, from the beginning of their reported production (respectively 1800, 1860, and 1890) to 2012. It appears that the EROI of global oil and gas productions reached their maximum values in the 1930s-40s, respectively around 50:1 and 150:1, and have declined subsequently. Furthermore, we suggest that the EROI of global coal production has not yet reached its maximum value. Based on the original work of Dale et al. (2011), we then present a new theoretical dynamic expression of the EROI. Modifications of the original model were needed in order to perform calibrations on each of our price-based historical estimates of coal, oil, and gas global EROI. Theoretical models replicate the fact that maximum EROIs of global oil and gas productions have both already been reached while this is not the case for coal. In a prospective exercise, the models show the pace of the expected EROIs decrease for oil and gas in the coming century. Regarding coal, models are helpful to estimate the value and date of the EROI peak, which will most likely occur between 2025 and 2045, around a value of 95(± 15):1.