The fossil fuels
The Fossil Fuels
1 Introduction Our reliance on fossil fuel Oi-38% is overwhelming We will explore how each fuel was formed. the Coal Gas history of its use and esource development and projections for its use the future Petroleum Hydroelectric Nuclear 0 1op thermal Natural gas Coa Shale oil Tar sand 2004 World Wide Energy Sources
1. Introduction 2004 World Wide Energy Sources Our reliance on fossil fuel is overwhelming. We will explore how each fuel was formed, the history of its use and resource development, and projections for its use in the future. Petroleum Natural gas Coal Shale oil Tar sand
2. Petroleum Petroleum is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid found in rock formations in the earth consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights, plus other organic compounds. It includes liquid crude oil and natural gas liquid as well as the common fuels propane and butane Formation of petroleum The energy input to the fossil fuels came to the earth hundreds of millions of years ago as radiant energy The radiant energy was captured in plant life on earth through photosynthesis The plant and animal matter in the ancient sea accumulated and decomposed under the cover of sand or mud which created conditions of high temperature and pressure and low oxygen level Hydrocarbon molecules were created in this way, some of them solid some of them liquid, and some of them gas
2. Petroleum Petroleum is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid found in rock formations in the earth consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights, plus other organic compounds. It includes liquid crude oil and natural gas liquid as well as the common fuels propane and butane. Formation of petroleum • The energy input to the fossil fuels came to the earth hundreds of millions of years ago as radiant energy. • The radiant energy was captured in plant life on earth through photosynthesis. • The plant and animal matter in the ancient sea accumulated and decomposed under the cover of sand or mud which created conditions of high temperature and pressure and low oxygen level. • Hydrocarbon molecules were created in this way, some of them solid, some of them liquid, and some of them gas
The liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons could travel rather large distance in the porous sedimentary rock. Under the influence of the geologic structures and gravity, some of the hydrocarbon material accumulated in the geologic traps. Porous Figure 2.1 A typical geologic formation in which oil and natural gas are found The gas if found above the oil, and the oil above water, all interspersed in a porous formation
Figure 2.1 A typical geologic formation in which oil and natural gas are found. The gas if found above the oil, and the oil above water, all interspersed in a porous formation. • The liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons could travel rather large distance in the porous sedimentary rock. Under the influence of the geologic structures and gravity, some of the hydrocarbon material accumulated in the geologic traps
Exploration of petroleum deposits One of the geophysical exploration methods: sound waves from an explosion or from vibrating weights are sent down to the earth Sound waves can be partially reflected back by the interface between layers of rock with different acoustical properties and read by geophones(地音探测仪) The exploration geologists can determine if an underground geological formation is likely to contain a significant reservoir of petroleum The real proof of an oil or natural gas deposit must be obtained by drilling Only about one commercial well is found in the Us for every nine wildcat (first well drilled in a new area) drillings Then the total amount of the oil that can be extracted from the new area is estimated and added to what is called the proved reserve
Exploration of petroleum deposits • One of the geophysical exploration methods: sound waves from an explosion or from vibrating weights are sent down to the earth. • Sound waves can be partially reflected back by the interface between layers of rock with different acoustical properties and read by geophones （地音探测仪）. • The exploration geologists can determine if an underground geological formation is likely to contain a significant reservoir of petroleum. • The real proof of an oil or natural gas deposit must be obtained by drilling. • Only about one commercial well is found in the US for every nine wildcat (first well drilled in a new area) drillings. • Then the total amount of the oil that can be extracted from the new area is estimated and added to what is called the proved reserve