What is Petroleum
There are many theories as to the origin or of petroleum, but the most widely accepted is the Organic Theory.
Petroleum is a fossil fuel. It is called a fossil fuel because it was formed from the remains of tiny sea plants and animals that died millions of years ago. When the plants and animals died, they sank to the bottom of the oceans. They were buried by thousands of feet of sand and silt.
Over time, this organic mixture was subjected to enormous pressure and heat as the layers increased. The mixture changes chemically, breaking down into compounds made of hydrogen and carbon atoms –hydrocarbons. Finally, an oil-saturated rock – much like a wet household sponge – was formed.
All organic material does not turn into oil. Certain geological conditions must exist within the oil-rich rocks. First, there must be a trap of non-porous rock that prevents the oil from seeping out, and a seal (such as salt or clay) that keeps the oil from rising to the surface. Even under these conditions, only about 2% of the organic material is transformed into oil.
A typical petroleum reservoir is mostly sandstone or limestone in which oil is trapped.
Oil in it may be as thin as gasoline or as thick as tar. It may be almost clear or black.
Petroleum is called a nonrenewable energy source because it takes millions of years to form. We cannot make more petroleum in a short time.
History of Oil
People have used naturally available petroleum since ancient times, though they didn’t know how to find it. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians burned oil for lighting.
Before the 1850’s, Americans often used whale oil for light. When whale oil became scarce, people began looking for other oil sources. In some places, oil seeped naturally to the surface of ponds and streams. People skimmed this oil and made it into kerosene. Kerosene was commonly used to light America’s homes before the arrival of the electric light bulb.
As demand for kerosene grew, a group of businessmen hire Edwin Drake to drill for oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania. After much hard work and slow progress, he discovered oil in 1859. Drake’s well was 69.5 feet deep, very shallow compared to today’s wells.
Drake refined the oil from his well into kerosene for lighting. Gasoline and other products made during refining were simply thrown away because people had no use for them.
In 1892, the horseless carriage, or automobile, solved this problem, since it required gasoline. By 1920, there were nine million motor vehicles in America alone, and gas stations were opening everywhere.
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