Fossil Fuels

Units of Energy Energy: Joule, Kilowatt-hour, calories, BTU Power (rate of doing work): watts

3 Largest Users of Fossil Fuels China European Union For the most part, all nonrenewable sources of energy have high net energy yield

Crude Oil: Petroleum Composed of organic matter (dead things that were once living) so contains the elements found in living things Composed of carbon and hydrogen (hydrocarbons) with nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen impurities

How Is Oil Formed? For oil and natural gas, the process happens on the sea floor when marine life (phytoplankton and zooplankton) settle to the bottom in large quantities. Over time, this decomposing organic material is mixed with sediment and buried beneath the surface. As they get move deeper into Earths crust, heat and pressure build up, forming a fossil fuel.

Oil Extraction Most of the time, oil deposits are dispersed in small pores in Earth’s crust (like sponge) It is extracted using a drill and pump

Oil Reserves Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait Russia South America: Venezuela, Brazil North Africa North America: Canada, U.S. (Alaska, Texas, North Dakota) China

Peak Production An oil well reaches peak production when oil flowing from the well has reached its maximum rate When did the U.S. reach peak oil production? 1970 When did the U.S. start importing more than half of its oil? 1998 When did the world reach peak oil production? 2005

Peak Production Where are the 3 largest oil fields on earth? 3. Mexico Peaked March, 2006 2. Kuwait Peaked November, 2005 1. Saudi Arabia Peaking RIGHT NOW!

Oil Use 20,680,000 barrels/day in U.S. Majority used for transportation (2/3)

CAFÉ Standards Cars Light trucks 30.2 mpg 24.1 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy Established by the EPA and aimed at reducing oil consumption and CO2 emissions HW: Read article Cars 30.2 mpg Light trucks 24.1 mpg

Oil Refinery/ Distillation Petroleum is heated in a distillation column and its components are separated based on their boiling points.

Petrochemicals

Oil Consumers 3 Largest Oil Consumers: U.S. (imports 60%) China Japan

Combustion Engines Products: CO, NO, NO2, SO2, CO2, H2O

OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries First 5: Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela Later Joined: Qatar (1961), Indonesia (1962), Libya (1962), the United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969), Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gabon (1975) and Angola (2007). These countries own 60% of the world’s oil reserves and produce 43% of the world’s oil

Why would members of OPEC lie about how oil they have? Oil Reserves 2 countries with largest reserves: Saudi Arabia Canada Most reserves are owned by governments. Why would members of OPEC lie about how oil they have?

Increasing Oil Prices What are some consequences of increased oil prices?

Domestic vs. Foreign Oil 39% of energy used in U.S. comes from oil U.S. produces only 9% of the world’s oil Why is only 1 barrel of oil extracted for every 3 barrels of oil found? The U.S. imports 60% of its oil, making us dependent on foreign oil. It is unlikely that we will ever be able to fulfill our own oil needs. (Reached peak production in 1970)

Issues of Foreign Dependence Trade imbalances Military actions Diplomatic Action Pollution of oceans Coastal oil spills Variations in cost of purchases Threat of supply disruptions Limitations of nonrenewable resource

Could Alaska be the Answer to Independence? Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

Drilling in the ANWR Detriments: land disruption at drilling sight, deforestation for roads and facilities, introduction of invasives. PRISTINE AND FRAGILE!

Advantages of Oil Advantages Disadvantages Nonrenewable Large subsidies creates artificial low price that encourages waste Ample supply for 42-93 years Low cost Market price does not include environmental cost High net energy yield Easily transported Air pollution (CO2) Low land use Water pollution Technology well developed Deforestation Efficient distribution system Disadvantages

Alberta, Canada Alberta, Canada has the largest reserve of oil sands Oil sands (tar sands): a mixture of sand, clay, water and bitumen Bitumen: A heavy oil with high sulfur content The sand must be heated and mixed with water to extract the bitumen.

Alberta, Canada Strip mining currently takes place to extract the oil Considered “the most destructive project on earth” Deforestation of boreal forest Toxic tailings enter waterways, killing aquatic life and migratory birds Requires the use of a large amount of water from Athabasca River Releases 3 times the amount of CO2 of conventional oil

Keystone XL Pipeline

Oil Shales Oil Shales: Rocks containing kerogen Kerogen: A solid combustile mixture of hydrocarobons Found: Western U.S.

Oil Shale & Oil Sands ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Moderate cost (sand) High cost (shale) Large supply Low net energy yield Easily transported Market price does not include environmental cost Efficient distribution Land disruption Technology well-developed Water pollution Air pollution