The Characteristics of petroleum , Liquid mineral found naturally in the subsoil, ranging from its composition or extraction to the industry that is generated around it.
Oil is also called a fossil fuel, because it is formed when large numbers of dead organisms remain long under the sedimentary rock, subjected to intense heat and pressure. Its name comes from the Greek: petra:"rock"+ oleum:"oil", and its components are separated using a technique called fractional distillation.
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Top 10 Main Oil Features
1- Composition of petroleum
Oil is composed of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other organic compounds. That is, the chemical composition of crude oil may vary.
However, the key components are carbon (93% - 97%), hydrogen (10% - 14%), nitrogen (0.1% - 2%), oxygen and sulfur 6%), with traces of metals, paraffins and naphthenes.
The difference in the distribution of these elements determines the actual properties of the oil in each reservoir. That is the reason why in some fields you will find crude oil dark brown or almost black, while in others it may be greenish or yellow.
2- Classification of petroleum
The oil industry has different criteria for the classification of oil:
- Depending on your place of origin: West Texas Intermediate or Brendt.
- According to its density or gravity API: is a measurement of density that established the American Petroleum Institute, and that results from comparing oil with water at equal temperatures with a hydrometer. In this sense, the oil is classified into: light (31.1 ° API), medium (22.3 and 31.1 ° API), heavy (10 and 22.3 ° API) and extra heavy (less than 10 ° API ).
- According to its content of sulfur: it is classified in sweet, when it has little sulfur; And acid, when its sulfur content is higher.
3- Drilling an oil well
In this process a communication channel or tunnel is constructed from the casing or lining to the tank formation.
The most common method uses punching guns equipped with explosive charges. However, there are other methods: bullet drilling, abrasive blasting or high pressure liquid jet.
The drilling is executed after the completion of structural geology studies, the analysis of the sedimentary basin and the characterization of the reservoir
4- Oil refining
Petroleum refining processes are the chemical engineering processes used to transform crude oil into useful products for society.
These processes are carried out in complexes called refineries, whose specific characteristics and processes depend on their location and the desired product.
5- Uses of petroleum
The oil is crude and heavy in nature, so you have to refine it and separate it to get from gasoline and kerosene to asphalt and chemical reagents.
In fact, oil and gas are used in the manufacture of fertilizers, fabrics, synthetic rubber and plastics present in almost everything we use today: clothing, shoes, accessories, cars, etc.
The composition of the oil also affects the type of product that will be obtained from it and its use.
A lighter and less dense composition of crude oil is more cost effective as a fuel source. However, reserves of this type of oil are scarce. Whereas if it is more dense, with a less flammable level of hydrocarbons and sulfur, it is more convenient for the manufacture of plastics.
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6- Oil reserves
A reservoir or oil field is the geographical space in which there is an accumulation of hydrocarbons with the following characteristics: the hydrocarbon source (any carbon bearing element), maturation (sufficient heat and pressure), migration (a sedimentary rock Porous in which the liquid or gas hydrocarbon can be maintained), the trap and the seal (prevents leakage).
According to estimates from the Organization of Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC), more than 80% of the world's crude oil reserves are located in the member countries of that organization, with reserves in the Middle East being the most important. These reserves represent 65% of the total OPEC, which to date stands at 1,213.43 million barrels.
The following figure (Figure 1) lists the countries with the largest oil reserves in the world, according to OPEC (2015):
7- Oil producing countries
Although this is a list that varies, the following countries usually appear in it:
- Kuwait
- Mexico
- Iran
- United Arab Emirates
- Iraq
- Canada
- China
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- U.S
8- Oil industry and security
More and more security mechanisms have emerged from the oil industry, which have become so avant-garde that they have even become an international standard and are applied in companies from other productive sectors.
This development has been based primarily on automation and comprehensive security training for all involved.
Today, ground platforms have roughly the same injury rate as normal construction work, and offshore platforms have a lower injury rate than a master.
9- Oil and economy
The impact of oil on the world economy could be calculated from these data:
- Around the world, about 95 million barrels are consumed.
- Oil is directly responsible for about 2.5% of world GDP.
- It is the main raw material for multi-billion dollar industries such as fuels, textiles and footwear.
- There are millions of kilometers of pipeline on the planet exclusively to distribute crude oil, refined products and natural gas.
In some countries such as Venezuela , The economic impact is very significant.
10- Oil and environment
There are people who believe that the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, will have a negative impact on biosphere Of the Earth, by the amount of harmful chemicals that are released during the processes of oil extraction and refining. In fact, it is given a leading role in the current state of global warming.
However, the renewable energy as the wind wave solar , Are not sufficiently developed to think that they can displace fossil fuels in a couple of generations.
References
- Classification of reservations (2008). Retrieved from the communitypetrolera.com.
- Oil and Gas industries. Overview. Retrieved from: www.petroleumonline.com.
- Petroleum (2013). Petroleum Composition. Retrieved from petroleum.co.uk.
- Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary. Perforation. Retrieved from www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com.
- The Little Black Book of Billionaire Secrets (2013). What Are The Top Five Facts Everyone Should Know About Oil Exploration? Retrieved from forbes.com.