Reliance on fossil fuels to drive economic development is still the global norm.

Question 1

Mismatch between locations of conventional fossil fuels for example China and USA -

Answer 1

These 2 are still the highest consumers and producers even with the coal industry declining.

China produce 3,650.0 metric tonnes and consume over half of what they produce USA around 900 metric tonnes and consume over half of that as well.

Question 2

Mismatch between locations of conventional fossil fuels for example - OPEC and North America -

Answer 2

Consume over 60% of Global Oil.

Question 3

Russian to Gas Europe -

Answer 3

Delivers 4 pipelines from Russia to Europe, 3 do cross Ukraine and with Russia’s ongoing military action going on there it is seemed that it will be difficult for Russia’s pipelines to reach Europe. This will stop flows as Russia are the second largest producers of gas and the majority is produced through pipelines. It may be a further problem as Ukraine look to join NATO or the EU.

Question 4

Development of unconventional fossil fuels can involve?

Answer 4

Tar sands, Oil shale, shale gas and deepwater oil.

Question 5

Canadian Tar sands -

Answer 5

Began in 1967 produce currently 40% of Canada’s oil output, Tar sands are a mixture of clay, sand, water and bitumen. Have to be mined and injected with stream to be less vigorous, however was seen relatively useless with the fall of global oil price in 2015 and the extracting of bitumen is relatively expensive because of high energy input. Also cost much environmental cost.

Question 6

US shale gas -

Answer 6

2000 supplied 1% of USA gas supply went to 25% by 2015. Oil bearing rocks that are permeable enough to allow out oil pumped directly. The increased production was due to fracking. Fracking for oil in the USA is a key determine for USA energy security These gas fields have been found in Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia. All to extract gas from underground formations that are too difficult tom extract.

Problems with the environment with possible contamination of groundwater by the chemicals of the pumping fluid and produce airborne pollutants.

Question 7

Brazilian deepwater oil -

Answer 7

Oil and gas found well offshore and found at considerable oceanic depths. Brazil has been seen to badly need oil and gas. Found some of the biggest oil finds in 2016 and in this event the state oil company tends to achieve 500,000 barrels of oil a day. (200k offshore Rio De Janerio The rigs are drilling more than 2,000m below sea level and the rigs contain huge amounts of toxic, flammable and explosive gases any many feel there will be another accident like the deepwater horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

Question 8

Overall Uncoventional fossil fuels do allow a potential future of meeting energy needs however there are 3 main concerns -

Answer 8

Still not a long term solution as still contribute to the carbon cycle and global warming

The extraction is costly and requires a high input of complex technology

And it threatens to damage the environment