Energy from Petroleum – Energy from Petroleum – An IntroductionAn Introduction

Kenneth M. KlemowFor BIO / EES 105 at Wilkes University

What is petroleum?What is petroleum?Thick flammable liquid, ranging

from yellow to blackWord derived from Greek

◦Petros = rock◦Oleum = oil

Petroleum includes a mixture Petroleum includes a mixture of organic substances rich in of organic substances rich in

carbon (and hydrogen)carbon (and hydrogen)

Natural gas (methane) Gasoline Naphtha

Kerosene

Lubricating oil

Paraffin Asphalt

Classification of petroleumClassification of petroleumCrude vs refinedLight vs intermediate vs heavySweet vs sour

How does it form?How does it form?

Oil in earth’s crustOil in earth’s crust

http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/fossil-fuel-formation.html

How much oil is available?How much oil is available?Need to consider:

◦Reserves Different forms Proven and unproven By country Within US

◦Production By country Within US

Forms of oil availabilityForms of oil availability

Petroleum reserves Petroleum reserves worldwideworldwide

http://sevencolors.org/images/photo/original/oilmap.jpg

Petroleum reserves Petroleum reserves worldwideworldwide

http://www.earthsci.org/education/teacher/basicgeol/fossil_fuels/fossil_fuels.html

Proven vs Unproven Proven vs Unproven ReservesReserves

http://prienceshrestha.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/the-geo-political-issues-regarding-global-oil-reserve/

World production by World production by countrycountry

U.S. Petroleum ReservesU.S. Petroleum Reserves

Production by stateProduction by state

Extracting petroleumExtracting petroleumThree main steps

◦Oil exploration◦Drilling◦Pumping

Oil explorationOil explorationDone by geologists

◦Look for evidence of source and trap rock Interpret maps Test drilling

Look for oil bearing strata Presence of certain micro-algae

◦Additional methods Magnetometers / gravity meters Seismic testing “Sniffers” detect hydrocarbons in the air

Oil drillingOil drillingClear landSecure source of

waterInstall rig - derrickCommence drilling

◦Drillbit◦Establish casing◦Introduce drilling

mudhttp://www.encapgroup.com/drilling/

Pump oil from the groundPump oil from the groundPlace pump

at wellheadPlace rods in

the boreholeMotor drives

assemblySuction

created in upstroke, drawing oil upward

http://www.encapgroup.com/drilling/

Crude oil must be refined to Crude oil must be refined to separate componentsseparate componentsDone at fractionating column

(cracker)

Inside a columnInside a column

http://www.propertiesofmatter.si.edu/boilingoil.html

Energy from petroleum Energy from petroleum productsproducts

http://energy.gov/articles/hows-and-whys-replacing-whole-barrel

History of PetroleumHistory of PetroleumOil well known in ancient world

◦Ancient Babylonians, Greeks, Chinese used for paving streets, lighting, medicines, producing salt

By middle ages, kerosene isolated, used for lighting

In US, oil obtained in PA and NY from shallow pools.

Petroleum in 19Petroleum in 19thth Century CenturyProduction increased greatly in US and

Europe due to improved drilling technology◦Drake well in Titusville in 1859◦Other wells in California, Europe, and

Canada in next few years◦Development of internal combustion

engine in late 1800s increased demand.

Petroleum in 20Petroleum in 20thth Century Century Demand and production

increased throughout the first half of century.◦ Cars, Trains, Planes, Home

heating◦ Rise of plastics

Drilling increasingly shifted offshore

Middle-Eastern countries became large-scale producers by 1950s.

OPEC formed in 1960. Oil embargos in 1973 / 79 had

worldwide economic impact. Environmental issues noted by

1980s. Focus on finding alternatives.

Worldwide petroleum use Worldwide petroleum use over timeover time

Worldwide patterns of Worldwide patterns of petroleum use – by countrypetroleum use – by country

Petroleum use – USPetroleum use – US

Petroleum use per capitaPetroleum use per capita

http://www.realitybase.org/journal/2010/12/13/the-history-of-us-per-capita-petroleum-consumption-will-surp.html

Benefits of petroleum as an Benefits of petroleum as an energy sourceenergy sourceHigh energy densityConvenient to transportBurns relatively cleanlyProduces many forms of energyByproducts common in our

modern lives

Drawbacks of petroleum as Drawbacks of petroleum as an energy sourcean energy sourceOften unreliable, especially if

importedDrilling causes habitat impactsSpills can be devastating,

ecologicallyGreenhouse gas emissions