2.b. The use of ocean energy and mineral resources is a contested issue

Question 1

Non renewable ocean resources- oil and gas- use and management

Answer 1

• mid 20th century- increased demand for oil and gas stimulated extension of exploration and production to the continental shelf
• significant production comes from Gulf of Mexico, Persian Gulf and North Sea
• technological advances mean drilling depths of up to 2000m with a future potentila of up to 3500m
• prices of oil and gas fluctuate with demand, which influences investment in exploration
• investment in infrastructyre is needed to service the oil and gas industry

Question 2

Positive impacts of oil and gas exploitation

Answer 2

• employment opportunities
• wealth creation
• raw materials for products e.g. plastics
• rigs act as artificial reefs under water, increasing local populations of some organisms

Question 3

Negative impacts of oil and gas exploitation

Answer 3

• local communities becoming overdependent on this industry for jobs
• exosystem disturbance
• visual impact
• pollution-oil spills

Question 4

Gulf of Mexico- example for oil and gas processing- key facts

Answer 4

• important for oil and gas production/processing
• undersea geology rich in hydrocarbons
• offshore drilling has operated for the past 70 years
• a range of high tech equipment is used
• USA+MEXICO have substantial offshore oil fields in current production
• multiplier effect in jobs means energy industries create employment
• trade linked to energy industries

Question 5

Gulf of Mexico- example for oil and gas processing- key figures

Answer 5

• 75% of US’s Gulf production of oil comes from wellsat depths of more than 300m
• oil and gas production is more than 40,000 km of active pipelines
• 45% of US’s oil refining capacity located along Gulf coast
• 240,000 jobs linked with US Gulf energy industries

Question 6

Renewable energy resources- waves and tides- what are hydrocarbons

Answer 6

The main chemical compounds, making up fossil fuels

Question 7

Renewable energy resources- waves and tides- what is the multiplier effect

Answer 7

Process where a new or expanding economic activity in an area create additional employment as its employees have money to spend on goods and services

Question 8

Renewable energy resources- waves and tides- what is a flow resource

Answer 8

Energy that is generated by the regeneration and replenishment of a never ending resource

Question 9

Renewable energy resources- tidal energy

Answer 9

• potential for tidal energy depends on local physical geography- shape of coastline important
• the larger the range the better
• increasing demand has driven exploration on the continental shelf
• there are two high and low tides per day so tidal range is key
• there are limited large scale tidal projects

Question 10

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay- example of tidal energy- key statistics

Answer 10

• 320 MV tidal power station planned for Swansea Bay
• 9.5km long breakwater will enclose in an rea of 11.5km²
• energy will power 155,000 homes

Question 11

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay- example of tidal energy- advantages to the Swansea scheme

Answer 11

• uses a renewable flow energy source
• generate electricity for 16 hours
• has low CO2 emissions
• carbon footprint will be small
• uses existing technologies
• will create local employment e.g. construction
• create recreation and tourism opportunities

Question 12

Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay- example of tidal energy- concerns of the scheme

Answer 12

the impact on
-sediment movements within the Bay
-water quality due to limited flows
-marine ecosystem e.g. disturbance
-local inshore fisheries
-the environment in Cornwall
The cost of the electicity generated as subsisides will be needed

Question 13

Renewable energy resources- wave energy- wave technology systems and obstacle

Answer 13

-aim is to convert waves into energy
-some wave technology systems are submerged e.g. wave roller. This consists of flaps which develop pressure in a hydraulic system which power an electricity generator
-devices installed at the surface mean wave energy is used to compress air/fluids
an obstacle to the development of wave technology is wave energy
-high wave energy required, many devices cannot survive rough seas, have to be robust BUT an increase in size and weight reduces efficiency of energy conversion

Question 14

Renewable energy resources- wave energy- Pelamis and CETO

Answer 14

• a wave machine in Pelamis, a steel tube. As waves pass, the structure rises and falls, driving hydraulic systems. It is not a viable wave energy source
• wave technology is making progress. CETO is a technology that uses buoys linked to hydraulic systems. As the buoys move up and down it creates hydraulic pressure for electricity or generator. The hope it to develop a commercially viable system

Question 15

Mineral resources- sea floor mining- key facts

Answer 15

• ferrous and non ferrous mineral deposits have made underwater mining possible
• 40 years ago- mining from the sea bed however operations to recover them were unprofitable. Increases in prices of minerals e.g. gold have re-ignited commercial interest in sea floor mining

Question 16

Mineral resources- sea floor mining- Rare Earth Elements

Answer 16

• the growth in the use of REEs has been a boost to sea floor mining
• Rare Earths are crucial to modern high technology. They are essential to miniaturisaton
• a geopolitical dimension relevant to mining REES- strategic important in telecommunications
• production of REEs dominated by China
• the reliance on one source is a concern for the USA, Japan and the EU. This is likely to influence decisions about granting permission for ocean mining to proceed

Question 17

Mineral resources- sea floor mining- deep sea remotely operated vehicles

Answer 17

• these are being used to survey and sample the sea bed

- a number of different extraction systems can be used but mainly hydraulic suction system

Question 18

Mineral resources- sea floor mining- concerns

Answer 18

• mining is focused in and around mid ocean and hydrothermal vents
• it is difficult to assess potential damage from mining
• mining could damage locations that haven’t been investigated
• disposing of mineral waste-concern. Tailings are released back into the ocean which can cause cloudy water. It can smother sea bed ecosystems
• HOWEVER minerals can be mined in higher concentrations so less material is mined e.g. copper

Question 19

Mineral resources- sea floor mining- what is likely to happen in the future

Answer 19

as demand for minerals increases and technology advances, pressure on the sea bed environment will grow