6.5 Reliance on Fossil Fuels Flashcards
6.5a supply and demand
conventional fossil fuels
oil
- mismatch between supply and demand because of high demand for transport
- large supply by OPEC countries
gas
- Russia exports large amount of oil to European countries
coal
- supply and demand match fairly well because gas is more widely distributed than oil
- high use of coal in Asia means it is the main area of mismatch
6.5a supply and demand
factors affecting supply and demand
supply is determined by processes of physical geography: climate, biomass production, sedimentation, faulting, folding, continental drift
demand is determined by human process, such as affluence affecting lifestyles and leading to higher consumption of resources
6.5a supply and demand
a
6.5b energy pathways
role of energy pathways
Energy mismatches are resolved by the creation of energy pathways that allow transfers to take place between producers and consumers. The main fossil fuel pathways are:
coal: from six main producers (Australia, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Colombia and USA) to four major markets (EU, India, China and Japan-Korea-Taiwan)
oil: from producers in the Middle East to four major markets (EU, USA and E and SE Asia); lesser producers are Nigeria and Venezuela
gas: from major producers in the Middle East and from Russia to markets in Europe; lesser producers are Indonesia, Nigeria and Trinidad
6.5b energy pathways
threats to energy pathways: physical
Physical chokepoints
- a narrow sea channel or convergence where trading routes can easily be disrupted
- over half the world’s fossil fuel travel through 8 major chokepoints
- if chokepoints are blocked, oil prices can increase dramatically
- oil transit chokepoints are a crucial element in global energy security
Physical terrain
- mountainous terrain increases the difficulty of transportation and construction
Climate and permafrost disruption
- pipelines must be above ground and insulated to ensure the permafrost is not melted and avoid land subsidence
Challenges of unconventional supplies (MORE DETAIL IN OTHER SECTION)
6.5b energy pathways
threats to energy pathways: human
Piracy
- particularly at chokepoints where ships are more vulnerable to attack
- e.g. the Straits of Malacca, Indonesia
Geo-political tension
- tension and conflict can lead to disruption in supply
- e.g. Iraq wars in 1990
Economic motivations
- supplies may be diverted for greater profit in countries that are willing to pay more
- e.g. supplies getting diverted to China
6.5b energy pathways
a
6.5c unconventional fossil fuels
what are unconventional fossil fuels?
tar sands
- a mixture of clay, sand, water and bitumen (a form of petroleum)
- extracted by being mined and then injected with steam to make the tar less viscous so that it can be pumped out
- e.g. Canadian tar sands (LOCATED EXAMPLE)
oil shale
- oil-bearing rocks that are permeable enough to allow the oil to be pumped out directly
- extracted by either being mined or shale is ignited so that the light oil fractions can be pumped out
shale gas
- natural gas that is trapped in fine-grained sedimentary rocks
- extracted by fracking (pumping in water and chemicals to force the gas out)
- e.g. USA fracking (LOCATED EXAMPLE)
deep water oil
- oil and gas that is found well offshore and at considerable oceanic depths
- extracted by drilling from ocean rigs
- e.g off Brazil (LOCATED EXAMPLE)
6.5c unconventional fossil fuels
what are the social costs and benefits of the development of unconventional fossil fuels?
costs
- health threats as a result of intense local pollution
benefits
- employment
- increase energy security
specific details for located examples
6.5c unconventional fossil fuels
what are the implications for the carbon cycle of the development of unconventional fossil fuels?
increase concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses enhancing the greenhouse effect and causing anthropogenic climate change
unsustainable changes to the environment that
specific details for located examples
6.5c unconventional fossil fuels
what are the consequences for the resilience of fragile environments of the development of unconventional fossil fuels?
environmental degradation
groundwater and air pollution
specific details for located examples
6.5c unconventional fossil fuels
what is peak oil?
peak oil is the term used to refer to when the global oil production reaches its peak before declining
there have been arguments made that peak oil has already reached, whilst others say that we have yet to reach it
