Petroleum Extraction and the Environment

Name: Petroleum Extraction and the Environment
Author: KnowledgeCity

Understand the environmental hazards created by petroleum extraction and discover innovations that can help reduce these problems

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Course: On-Demand

Like with any finite resource, there are environmental consequences associated with collecting petroleum. These are not consequences to take lightly, and the impact can be dire. One of the biggest concerns about squeezing every ounce of fractionable petroleum from the earth are the consequences associated with hydraulic fracturing or fracking. This is a process that involves using a pressurized hydraulic fluid to crack through deep rock formations to extract natural gas and crude oil. This method has both been heralded as an economic advantage and criticized as an environmental risk. On one hand, petrochemical companies have greater access to these resources through this novel method. Fracking also allows better access to natural gas, which emits less carbon than coal burning. On the other hand, environmental activists argue that there are issues with gas leakage, pollution, and increased seismic activity. There's a type of petroleum product called tight gas and tight oil, which lie in shale rock, and both have very low permeability. This requires massive hydraulic fracturing operations for extraction. Shale is made of densely packed small particle sediment, which makes it difficult to penetrate. There are currently more tight oil reservoirs than can be tapped. These hard-to-reach reservoirs are a major economic driving factor to continuing fracking operations. One of the major concerns of advocacy groups, like the Environmental Defense Fund, is methane leakage because of fracturing these deep wells. When this happens, methane disperses into the air, water, and soil, causing pollution and devastating health and environmental effects. Pennsylvania has been studied extensively as a representative of this problem. Currently, there is five times the amount of methane leakage in this area compared to their originally reported figures. Spills of hydraulic fluid chemicals associated with the fracturing process are also a concern, as they can leach into groundwater. Another concern is the destabilization of fault lines, causing more seismic activity. In most cases, the seismic activity is too small to be measured on the surface, but tremors associated with the injection of hydraulic fluids into these wells have been documented by people, as it causes injury and property damage. There has been an effort to enforce a moratorium so that the environmental and health effects of fracking can be assessed. Although many scientists have been making a push toward renewable energy like electric cars and biodiesel, fossil fuels still dominate over 80% of the United States energy consumption.

Essential Provider : KnowledgeCity 7 Lessons · 16m in Arabic, English

Course Description

In this course on Petroleum Extraction and the Environment, we will examine land use and its reclamation potential, as well as drilling and soil contamination. We will also discuss the effects of emissions from the various types of petroleum extraction. We will examine the possibility of oil depletion and what that might mean for society. We will also pivot and begin to discuss renewable energy and what the future might hold in that area.

Hydraulic fracturing is one of the more controversial methods of extraction due to its potential impact on the environment; however, it is also one of the most cost-efficient methods of extraction. We will discuss both the pros and cons of this extraction process as well as the difference between tight gas and tight oil. As we discuss emissions, we will examine hydrocarbons and their impact on the environment. We will also examine volatile organic compounds or VOCs, and we will look at other types of pollution, such as plastic and rubber pollution. While many believe there is an endless supply of petroleum, we will examine the reality of oil depletion and its potential consequences. We will finish up these lessons with a discussion of renewable energy and possibilities for its increasing role and uses.

What You'll Learn

Analyze the impact of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on the environment, including its connection to seismicity
Distinguish between tight gas and tight oil and weigh the pros and cons of hydraulic fracturing as a cost-efficient extraction method
Understand the impact of emissions from various types of petroleum extraction, including hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Examine land use, its reclamation potential, and drilling-related soil contamination
Evaluate other forms of pollution such as plastic and rubber pollution
Assess oil depletion and analyze the future of renewable energy

Key Takeaways

Hydraulic fracturing is one of the more controversial extraction methods due to its potential environmental impact, yet it is also one of the most cost-efficient methods of extraction.
Emissions from petroleum extraction include hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which affect the environment.
Land use from petroleum extraction has reclamation potential, and drilling can lead to soil contamination.
Although many believe petroleum supply is endless, the course examines the reality of oil depletion and its potential consequences for society.
Renewable energy is discussed as having an increasing role and uses in the future of energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

The course examines land use and its reclamation potential, drilling and soil contamination, emissions from various types of petroleum extraction, hydraulic fracturing (including tight gas versus tight oil), hydrocarbons and VOCs, plastic and rubber pollution, oil depletion, and renewable energy.

Why is hydraulic fracturing covered as a controversial topic?

Hydraulic fracturing is one of the more controversial methods of extraction due to its potential impact on the environment; the course discusses both the pros and cons of the process, as it is also one of the most cost-efficient extraction methods.

Does the course discuss renewable energy?

Yes. The course pivots to discuss renewable energy and what the future might hold, including possibilities for its increasing role and uses.

What skills are associated with this course?

The course is associated with environmental analysis, environmental science, environmental studies, petroleum engineering, and the petroleum industry.

What are the main learning objectives?

The learning objectives are analyzing the impact of hydraulic fracturing, understanding the impact of emissions from petroleum extraction, and analyzing the future of renewable energy.