Matthew Simmons

Matthew R. Simmons
Born
Matthew Roy Simmons

(1943-04-07)April 7, 1943
DiedAugust 8, 2010(2010-08-08) (aged 67)
EducationUniversity of Utah
Harvard University[2]
Occupation(s)Investment banker, author
SpouseEllen Christine Loungee[3]
Children5 daughters
ParentRoy William Simmons & Elizabeth Ellison[3]

Matthew Roy Simmons (April 7, 1943[4] – August 8, 2010) was founder and chairman emeritus of Simmons & Company International, and was a prominent figure in the field of peak oil. Simmons was motivated by the 1973 energy crisis to create an investment banking firm catering to oil companies. He served as an energy adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush[5] and was a member of the National Petroleum Council and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Simmons, who lived in Houston, Texas, died at his vacation home in North Haven, Maine, on August 8, 2010, at the age of 67.[6][7] The death was ruled "accidental drowning with heart disease a contributing factor".[8]

Simmons was the author of the book Twilight in the Desert, published in 2005.[7] His examination of oil reserve decline rates helped raise awareness of the unreliability of Middle East oil reserves. He gave numerous presentations on peak oil and water shortages.[9]

Simmons believed that the Club of Rome's report, The Limits to Growth, is more accurate than usually acknowledged.[10]

Simmons was the founder of the Ocean Energy Institute in Maine.[11] His vision was to make Maine a leader in energy from offshore wind and ocean forces. The Ocean Energy Institute ceased operations in 2011.[12]

  1. ^ Tamsin Carlisle. "Maverick of the oil industry". The National. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  2. ^ "Matthew R. Simmons, Founder of Simmons & Co International". Archived from the original on 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  3. ^ a b Story Capsules: Simmons Family Archived 2012-03-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  4. ^ Texas Voter Registration rolls. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  5. ^ "Matthew Simmons, Noted Energy Banker, Dies at 67" - New York Times
  6. ^ "Energy expert Simmons dies in North Haven" Archived 2010-08-11 at the Wayback Machine. Kennebec Journal.
  7. ^ a b "Utah native Matthew Simmons, energy investment banker, dies in Maine". Deseret News (2010-08-09). Retrieved on 2012-05-20.
  8. ^ Tom Fowler. "Energy insider issued wake-up call: Financier believed world was near peak oil production". Houston Chronicle. August 10, 2010.
  9. ^ "Matthew R. Simmons' Presentations". Ocean Energy (formerly at Simmons-Co International). Archived from the original on 2010-07-17.
  10. ^ Simmons, Matthew R. (October 2000). "Revisiting The Limits to Growth: Could the Club of Rome Have Been Correct After All?" (PDF). Mud City Press. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  11. ^ Ocean Energy Institute Blog
  12. ^ "UM fund to honor late ocean energy visionary". Bangor Daily News. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2016.