Unit 2 Knowledge Organiser: 2.7

Unit 2 Knowledge Organiser:

2.7 Why is the world so dependent on oil resources?

What is oil and how is it formed?

Oil and coal are fossil fuels. They are called this because they are formed from the fossils of plants and sea creatures. 

Distribution:

Geologists search the planet to find traps of oil and gas to drill into and bring to the surface. 

While just about every country in the world depends on oil, not all countries produce it, as the deposits are unevenly spread globally.

Crude Oil:

Crude oil is the term used to describe the oil extracted from the ground. Once brought to the surface, it is transported by ship or pipeline to an oil refinery. Here the crude oil is processed and separated into refined oil and other raw materials. 

Petrochemicals:

Petrochemical factories also tend to locate next to the refinery to make oil-based products. Here the crude oil is processed and separated into refined oil and other raw materials

How Petroleum and Natural Gas were formed:

• Tiny sea plants and animals died and were buried on the ocean floor

• Over a long period of time, they were covered by layers of sediment and rock

How Petroleum and Natural Gas were formed:

• Over millions of years the enormous heat and pressure from layers pressing down on them turned them into oil and gas