1.3 Making crude oil more useful

Question 1

Which type of rock do Oil wells get drilled through and traps oil from escaping to the surface?

Answer 1

Impermeable rock.

Question 2

Describe how exploiting crude oil may cause environmental problems.

Answer 2

Oil may be spilled at the oil well or during loading/unloading at an oil refinery. Also Ocean going oil tankers can run aground and cause Oil slicks.

Question 3

Explain how Oil is obtained

Answer 3

Oil is obtained by drilling Oil wells through impermeable rock to reach Oil deposits. this oil is pumped to the surface, and transported to oil refineries.

Question 4

How much of the Oil is used for plastics and other petrochemicals?

Answer 4

10%

Question 5

What is Cracking?

Answer 5

Cracking is a chemical process that converts large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful, hydrocarbon molecules . It involves heating fractions to a high temperature and passing them over a catalyst.
For example:
Octane==> hexane + Ethene
C8H18C6H14+C2H4

Question 6

Why is Cracking useful?

Answer 6

helps match supply of other fractions and creates an Alkene which is used for making polymers.