Extraction of petroleum

grider123 (62)in #gridcoin • 6 years ago (edited)

Petroleum as energy source

Petroleum is still the world's most important energy supplier. Around 3.5 billion tons of the raw material known as black gold were consumed worldwide in 2001.
Nearly half of it alone in the USA and Europe. The petroleum fields that have been tapped so far will last for about 40 to 50 years. However, the petroleum industry is optimistic. They expect that through more efficient production methods and new sources, there will still be enough petroleum in a hundred years' time to meet global demand. [1]

Horse head petroleum pump in Germany [2]

The use of petroleum

However, the production of petroleum already has catastrophic consequences for the environment.
Over and over again there are some leaks that leak petroleum. petroleum pollutes not only the seas but also our drinking water. But mankind is becoming more and more dependent on petroleum. Almost every item contains petroleum in some kind.
petroleum is also used to produce electricity in combined heat and power plants. petroleum-fired heating systems are also used in many houses. And even in clothing you can find the black gold. [1]

Extraction of petroleum

Petroleum extraction can be divided into 4 phases.

The petroleum, which is deep underground, is under high pressure. If the reservoir is now drilled in, the petroleum flows upwards on its own thanks to the pressure.
As the pressure decreases over time, it no longer flows upwards on its own. The pumping is now carried out by depth pumps. This phase lasts much longer than the first.
Pumps can no longer be used to pump further crude petroleum. The injection of water or natural gas increases the pressure in the field. Now the petroleum can be pumped again with the help of pumps. Phases 1 to 3 can be used to extract between 20% and 50% of a field's total petroleum reserves.
The pressurized water is mixed with chemicals and pressed into the deposit. These ensure that the crude petroleum dissolves from the host rock and additionally improve the flowability of the viscous crude petroleum. With the help of this technology, up to 70% of the petroleum reserves can be extracted. [3]

This is the same on land as it is on water. On the water, however, there is a much less rapid response to catastrophic events and the consequences for the flora and fauna of the oceans are reverential. The dying of fish is only one part.

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