Unconventional fossil fuels Flashcards
Key points of unconventional fossil fuels?
- Difficult to produce requiring new technology’s
- More expensive than easy conventional FF’s
- Increasingly attractive as conventional fossil fuel reserves dwindle
What is deep water oil?
As accessible reserves run out (e.g. North Sea oil) companies have to venture to deeper waters with greater risks and costs to find oil (e.g. the Gulf of Mexico)
An example of where deep water oil has gone wrong?
BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010
What is Shale gas?
Usually methane in coal seams or natural gas trapped in fractures and pores of sandstone and shales
What is Oil shale?
Deposits of organic compounds called kerogen in sedimentary rocks that have not undergone sufficient pressure, heat or time to become conventional oil
Where has the greatest reserve of Oil shale?
The USA who have 77% of global reserves
What is a key environmental risk of fracking?
Groundwater contamination with chemicals and gas
What has prevented fracking in the UK?
Public perception e.g. Anti-fracking protest at Balcombe, UK in 2013
What are Tar sands?
Naturally occurring mixtures of sand, clay, water and a dense viscous form of petroleum called bitumen
Where has the greatest reserves of Tar sands?
Canada, Alberta that has 73% of known global stocks
Why is the production of oil from Tar sands controversial in Canada?
The production keeps Canada rich but is also making it unpopular with environmentalists
