We will learn…

• How oil and natural gas are formed

• Where they are found

• How they are extracted from the ground

• What products we use every day are made from petroleum

Introduction to Oil and Natural Gas

Fossil Fuels – Nature’s Batteries

80% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels• Oil• Natural gas• Coal

Fossil fuels were forming before dinosaurs lived

How do oil and gas get from the ground into products we use?

1. Exploration2. Drilling and Production3. Extraction4. Refining5. Transportation

1 2 3 4 5

Exploration: a treasure hunt to find oil and gas

• Geologists study rocks on the Earth’s surface and underground

• Geologists make a map of the rocks where they think oil and gas might be found

Photo by John Simmons, OnTV© The Geological Society of London www.geolsoc.org.uk

Drilling and Production

• Engineers use the geology map to drill a well under the Earth’s surface using a “rig”

• If successful, the well will bring a steady flow of oil and gas to the surface

Where Do Oil and Gas Come From?

Microscopic View

Gas

Oil

Water

Source Rock (Fossils)

Oil drops in grains of sand

Oil and Gas Are Found On Land and under Water

Oils and Gas Are Often Found Together

• Oil is a liquid• Gas is in a gaseous

(invisible) state – like air

• Oil and gas move through sand as a team

Extraction

• After the rig is removed, a pump is placed on the well head.

• An electric motor drives a gear box that moves a lever.

• The lever pushes and pulls, forcing the pump up and down, and creates a suction that draws up the oil.

Transportation

• Crude oil and refined products are transported across the water in barges and tankers.

• On land crude oil and products are moved using pipelines, trucks, and trains.

Photo above courtesy of BP

Refining

• Chemicals and heat are used to remove water and solids

• Natural gas is separated• Cracking and rearranging

molecules prepares the finished products

• Oil is then stored in tanks.

Photo courtesy of © BP p.l.c.

Energy Companies Help Protect the Environment

• Clean up areas after drilling• Care for plants, animals and

the Earth in work areas• Follow governmental rules

Where Would We Be Without Petroleum?

You can kiss lipstick good-bye.

Artificial HeartsAspirinBalloonsBandagesBlendersCamerasCandlesCD PlayersClothingCompact Discs/DVDsComputersContainersCrayonsCredit CardsDenturesDeodorantDigital ClocksDyes

FertilizersFood PreservativesFootballsFurnitureGarbage BagsGlassesGlueGolf BallsHair DryersHang GlidersHouse PaintInkInsecticidesLife JacketsLipstickLuggageMedical EquipmentMedicines

MP3 PlayersPantyhosePatio ScreensPerfumesPhotographic FilmPhotographsPiano KeysRoller BladesRoofingShampooShaving CreamSoft Contact LensesSurfboardsTelephonesTentsToothpasteToysUmbrellas