Oil

Oil Oil use is rising drastically worldwide, accounting for 37% of the world’s energy Oil use is rising drastically worldwide, accounting for 37% of the world’s energy Crude oil, or petroleum, is made of a mixture of various types of hydrocarbons Crude oil, or petroleum, is made of a mixture of various types of hydrocarbons oil refineries sort the oil into different types, such as gasoline, tar, and asphaltoil refineries sort the oil into different types, such as gasoline, tar, and asphalt

Extracting Oil Once geologists have discovered an oil deposit, a company will conduct exploratory drilling Once geologists have discovered an oil deposit, a company will conduct exploratory drilling Oil is trapped under pressure, and when a hole is drilled, oil will rise to the surface unassistedOil is trapped under pressure, and when a hole is drilled, oil will rise to the surface unassisted

Extracting Oil After primary extraction, as much as 2/3 of the oil may remain After primary extraction, as much as 2/3 of the oil may remain Secondary extraction involves solvents or water to flush out underground rocks and remove additional oil Secondary extraction involves solvents or water to flush out underground rocks and remove additional oil This is expensive and often is not doneThis is expensive and often is not done

Offshore Drilling Over 25% of the oil and gas extracted in the US comes from offshore drilling sites Over 25% of the oil and gas extracted in the US comes from offshore drilling sites Floating or fixed platforms are built above the drilling site Floating or fixed platforms are built above the drilling site

Oil in Alaska The northern slope of Alaska is a virtually untouched wildlife area The northern slope of Alaska is a virtually untouched wildlife area It also contains unknown amounts of oil It also contains unknown amounts of oil Since the 1920s, people have debating what to do with this resource: preserve the undisturbed natural area or drill for oil Since the 1920s, people have debating what to do with this resource: preserve the undisturbed natural area or drill for oil

Oil in Alaska Small areas have been drilled and over 14 billion barrels of crude oil have been extracted Small areas have been drilled and over 14 billion barrels of crude oil have been extracted The oil is then transported across Alaska via the trans-Alaska pipeline to oil tankersThe oil is then transported across Alaska via the trans-Alaska pipeline to oil tankers

Oil in Alaska The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a federally protected area The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a federally protected area It is home to 160 nesting bird species, fish and marine mammals, timber wolves, musk oxen, etcIt is home to 160 nesting bird species, fish and marine mammals, timber wolves, musk oxen, etc It is also a vital birthing area for caribouIt is also a vital birthing area for caribou

Oil in Alaska ANWR has been the focus of a debate for years and US policy has changed ANWR has been the focus of a debate for years and US policy has changed In 1980, Congress put most of the refuge off-limits to oil but reserved for future decision-making a large coastal area In 1980, Congress put most of the refuge off-limits to oil but reserved for future decision-making a large coastal area Since 2005, Congress has attempted to open the refuge to drilling but has been blocked Since 2005, Congress has attempted to open the refuge to drilling but has been blocked

Refining Crude Oil Refining separates the hydrocarbons into classes of different sizes Refining separates the hydrocarbons into classes of different sizes Different components of crude oil boil at different temperatures Different components of crude oil boil at different temperatures

Environmental Effects of Oil Drilling has minor impacts, but roads and infrastructure must be built Drilling has minor impacts, but roads and infrastructure must be built This causes major habitat alterationThis causes major habitat alteration Oil spills and other problems may cause additional damage Oil spills and other problems may cause additional damage

Environmental Effects in ANWR Many scientists anticipate damage to vegetation and wildlife if drilling takes place Many scientists anticipate damage to vegetation and wildlife if drilling takes place There are methods that can lessen the impact, such as building roads of ice that will melt in the summer and only drilling in the winter when caribou are not present There are methods that can lessen the impact, such as building roads of ice that will melt in the summer and only drilling in the winter when caribou are not present

Natural Gas

Natural gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel in use today Natural gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel in use today Supplies are projected to last around 60 yearsSupplies are projected to last around 60 years

Natural gas consists mostly of methane (CH4) and small amounts of other volatile hydrocarbons Natural gas consists mostly of methane (CH4) and small amounts of other volatile hydrocarbons

Using Natural Gas Natural gas was first used in the 1800s, but was not used wide scale Natural gas was first used in the 1800s, but was not used wide scale Today, it is used for heating and cooking Today, it is used for heating and cooking

Types of Natural Gas Biogenic gas—created by anaerobic decomposition at shallow depths Biogenic gas—created by anaerobic decomposition at shallow depths Can also be made from the decay of landfills—now is being soldCan also be made from the decay of landfills—now is being sold

Types of Natural Gas Thermogenic gas—results from compression and heat deep underground Thermogenic gas—results from compression and heat deep underground May be formed near crude oil or from crude oil that is altered by heatingMay be formed near crude oil or from crude oil that is altered by heating

Extracting Natural Gas Pumps are used to create pressure and pull natural gas and oil to the surface Pumps are used to create pressure and pull natural gas and oil to the surface Many of the easily accessible natural gas reserves have already been used up Many of the easily accessible natural gas reserves have already been used up

Fracking