2.5 - Fossil Fuels Worth It?

Question 1

Fracking

Answer 1

A wellbore drills through sediment and creates holes in the rock layer. Fluids are pumped through the shale causing more cracks and wholes. The gas is pumped out and the chemically infected water gets disposed of.

Question 2

Tar/Oil Sands

Answer 2

Bitumen within 75m of the surface is open-pit mined. Huge clumps of oil sands are taken to crushers where it’s heated and the bitumen is separated. Bitumen over 75m deep is taken out by pumping steam into the ground.

Question 3

Deepwater Oil, Gulf of Mexico

Answer 3

Famous for 2010 BP oil disaster, drilling rigs can be transported by ships, they’re approx 3400 rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Water depth was ultra deep at 1500m
Recent improvements in technology have meant profitability of deepwater oil rests at $50 a barrel, however it’s the most expensive as it needs specialised technology.

Question 4

Deepwater Horizon Disaster

Answer 4

2010 - BP Deepwater rig exploded as methane gas was released, it later collapsed and sunk
11 dead, 17 injured
Oil blowout lasted 17 days
4.2 million gallons of oil released
Area home to 8000+ species of fish
Impact on Louisiana $2.4bn fishing and tourism.

Question 5

Deepwater Extraction - Economic Costs

Answer 5

Potential high costs of extraction and supply due to technology
High prices lead to better returns of difficult areas.
Easy areas have been discovered and others could be economically marginal due to extraction costs.
Disputed areas e.g. the arctic could lead to political conflict.

Question 6

Deepwater Extraction - Environmental Costs

Answer 6

Some areas are fragile and ecosystems are vulnerable to human impact e.g. Arctic
Extraction from oil shales and tar sands plus heavy oil is energy intrusive, could raise CO2 emissions before energy is even used
Possibility of spills in marine areas, especially as technology is new, could lead to damage to the seabed and impacts on undiscovered areas.