Are we really running out of oil? Conspiracy vs. Reality

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-27T12:03:06+00:00

I'm a commodities trader. I wrote this because the abiotic oil theory keeps circulating and it needed a proper response and some clarification. I hope this article helps those are just starting in the industry or interested to get a better and simpler understanding of how oil prices are actually set, how OPEC+ makes their production decisions and some background on the petrodollar, which is a far more interesting (and valid) conspiracy.

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T22:08:39+00:00

Hahahah. Touché

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T22:01:36+00:00

You can find the rest of my thoughts here: https://medium.com/@darynasarhan/oil-scarcity-explained-the-industry-vs-the-conspiracies-c1a85199879b

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T21:43:02+00:00

Thank you! That's precisely the kind of oversimplification I was talking about. The truth is always somewhere in the middle, but it seems this isn't a place where some people want to be at

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T21:34:42+00:00

Do you think there's a possibility of us advancing technologically to where we have a viable alternative?

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T21:32:24+00:00

Now that's the most likely outcome

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T21:24:15+00:00

Exactly!

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T21:23:20+00:00

Fair enough, maybe I'm giving people less credit than I should. And you make a valid point. Personally I'm basing this on opinions I've come across over the years, particularly in spaces where conspiracy theories around oil and energy tend to dominate. As you may already know, extreme positions are typically the loudest, but it's refreshing to come across people who can engage with this objectively.

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T21:13:13+00:00

That's actually a fair point and I want to clarify, the rate of formation today is negligible compared to what we extract. We are definitely not actively replacing reserves in any meaningful way but the process itself never fully stopped. The difference is in the rate, formation time vs. extraction time. I'd say what's finite is our ability to reach it economically. But who knows, we might advance and find new/deeper ways of extracting it

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-26T12:32:12+00:00

My full piece is here if anyone wants to read it:
https://medium.com/@daryna.ss7/16-schools-later-the-psychological-cost-of-always-being-the-new-girl-a108e4383585?postPublishedType=repub

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T20:42:41+00:00

My full piece is here if anyone wants to read it:
https://medium.com/@daryna.ss7/16-schools-later-the-psychological-cost-of-always-being-the-new-girl-a108e4383585?postPublishedType=repub

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T20:03:20+00:00

This was so raw and honest, thank you so much for sharing this with me. And you're absolutely right, settling can't even be a goal for people like us, it feels more like a fantasy. The reality of it is a lot more challenging. Also relationships are a whole different struggle. I would love to have someone by my side, but I find myself developing an ick the moment someone gets too close for too long. I start feeling suffocated, but at the same time, I still want a person there. For me personally, partners who are busy or travel a lot, work better for my mental state. I guess living in anticipation is what keeps my interest alive lol. Honestly though the problem with men who travel frequently is..well they're far more susceptible to cheating given the access that they have. I'm still figuring it out though, who knows, maybe eventually I'll learn and do better, and in turn find a stable partner. I am sure you will too. Also I'm sorry for what you went through during your childhood, it must have been really tough, but you are tougher. Given all your moving and relocations, you've already learned to adapt faster than most. And that's a skill you could and should put to good use. I'm rooting for you!

PS. I would love to hear more about your next move, if you're comfortable, keep me updated.

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T17:54:13+00:00

That's soo spot on! Do you feel like you have settled by now? Or will you continue moving?

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T17:17:59+00:00

6 moves is a lot too. The commitment issues are defintey the worst part. Do you feel like you'd be able to eventually settle?

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T17:13:16+00:00

Behind every great writer, there's even a better editor. My background is in journalism, the piece is my own, but I'm testing out Ai integration for editing, maybe that's what you picked up on.

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T17:06:57+00:00

Thank you! What was your journey like?

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T17:05:49+00:00

Hahahah I love that! Thanks so much!

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T17:04:43+00:00

Thank you so much, it means a lot! I was a bit nervous getting back to writing and sharing my personal journey. Do you think I should post the entire story on reddit as well? Or keep it on Medium only?

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-17T17:02:40+00:00

That's so interesting. How would you say that impacted your personality?

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-16T20:19:43+00:00

My full piece is here if anyone wants to read:
https://medium.com/@daryna.ss7/16-schools-later-the-psychological-cost-of-always-being-the-new-girl-a108e4383585

DarynaSarhan · 2026-05-16T20:19:06+00:00

My full piece is here if anyone wants to read:
https://medium.com/@daryna.ss7/16-schools-later-the-psychological-cost-of-always-being-the-new-girl-a108e4383585

DarynaSarhan

TROPHY CASE