Oil and Natural Gas Video Notes
1) The process that forms oil requires a lot of time. How long ago did the oil we extract today start forming?
Two hundred million years ago.
2) What was the earth like at this time?
At this time, the continents as we know them were formed together to create Pangea, a single super-continent.
3) We call it oil now, but what was that slimy black stuff before it became oil?
Phytoplankton and other micro-organisms were used to create oil. They are plants with "bonds" of light. When you break that bond, oil is formed.
4)The video lists several processes or conditions required to change you answer to question three into oil. I can think of five - can you get them all? (i can think of SIX!)
5) Besides oil, what other fossil fuel can be formed by this process with only one minor variation?
NATURAL GAS!!!!! WITH MORE HEAT (Which I said)
Bonus: But wait, we call oil a non-renewable resource. If we can just make more oil by this process, why do we call it "non-renewable"?
Because you can't re-use what you've already used up! (We could always wait patiently for another 200 million years).
Pangea:
Two hundred million years ago.
2) What was the earth like at this time?
At this time, the continents as we know them were formed together to create Pangea, a single super-continent.
3) We call it oil now, but what was that slimy black stuff before it became oil?
Phytoplankton and other micro-organisms were used to create oil. They are plants with "bonds" of light. When you break that bond, oil is formed.
4)The video lists several processes or conditions required to change you answer to question three into oil. I can think of five - can you get them all? (i can think of SIX!)
- Micro-organisms like phytoplankton die and sink to the bottom of the ocean.
- Mud or other sediment covers the dead phytoplankton, mixing with it and keeping an anoxic environment!
- Non-porous rock layers form above the soon-to-be oil, pressurizing and heating it
- Oil is then formed between 60 and 100 degrees C (150 for natural gas)
- A large, also non-porous rock called the "capping stone" covers the rising oil/gas, keeping it from surfacing
- Cook thoroughly for 200 million years, then have wars over it! (w.)
5) Besides oil, what other fossil fuel can be formed by this process with only one minor variation?
NATURAL GAS!!!!! WITH MORE HEAT (Which I said)
Bonus: But wait, we call oil a non-renewable resource. If we can just make more oil by this process, why do we call it "non-renewable"?
Because you can't re-use what you've already used up! (We could always wait patiently for another 200 million years).
Pangea: