Petroleum
23195
225859832
2008-07-15T19:05:04Z
138.202.189.90
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225845322 by [[Special:Contributions/138.202.189.90|138.202.189.90]] ([[User talk:138.202.189.90|talk]])
{{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{otheruses}}
{{redirect|Petro}}
[[Image:Oil well.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Pumpjack]] pumping an oil well near [[Lubbock, Texas]]]]
{{portal|Energy}}
'''Petroleum''' ([[Latin|L.]] ''petroleum'' < [[Greek language|Gr.]] ''πετρέλαιον'' lit. ''"rock oil"'' was first used in the treatise [[De re metallica]] published in 1556 by the German mineralogist [[Georg Bauer]], known as Georgius Agricola.<ref>{{cite book |authorlink=Georg Bauer |author=Bauer Georg, Hoover Herbert (tr.), Hoover Lou(tr.) |title=De re metallica |originalyear=1556 |volume=xii |originallanguage={{la icon}} }} translated 1912</ref>) is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid found in rock formations in the [[Earth]] consisting of a complex mixture of [[hydrocarbon]]s of various molecular weights, plus other [[organic compound]]s.
== Composition ==
The proportion of hydrocarbons in the mixture is highly variable and ranges from as much as 97% by weight in the lighter oils to as little as 50% in the heavier oils and [[bitumen]]s.
The hydrocarbons in crude oil are mostly [[alkane]]s, [[cycloalkane]]s and various [[aromatic hydrocarbon]]s while the other organic compounds contain [[nitrogen]], [[oxygen]] and [[sulfur]], and trace amounts of metals such as iron, nickel, copper and vanadium. The exact molecular composition varies widely from formation to formation but the proportion of [[chemical element]]s vary over fairly narrow limits as follows:<ref name="Speight"> {{Cite book
| last = Speight
| first = James G.
| title = The Chemistry and Technology of Petroleum
| date = 1999
| publisher = Marcel Dekker
| isbn = 0824702174
| pages = pp. 215-216
}}
</ref>
{| class = "wikitable"
|Carbon || 83-87%
|-
|Hydrogen || 10-14%
|-
|Nitrogen || 0.1-2%
|-
|Oxygen || 0.1-1.5%
|-
|Sulfur || 0.5-6%
|-
|Metals || <1000 ppm
|}
Crude oil varies greatly in appearance depending on its composition. It is usually black or dark brown (although it may be yellowish or even greenish). In the reservoir it is usually found in association with [[natural gas]], which being lighter forms a gas cap over the petroleum, and [[saline water]], which being heavier generally floats underneath it. Crude oil may also be found in semi-solid form mixed with sand, as in the [[Athabasca oil sands]] in [[Canada]], where it may be referred to as crude [[bitumen]].
Petroleum is used mostly, by volume, for producing [[fuel oil]] and [[gasoline]] (petrol), both important "[[primary energy]]" sources.<ref>[http://www.iea.org/bookshop/add.aspx?id=144 IEA Key World Energy Statistics]</ref>
84% by volume of the hydrocarbons present in petroleum is converted into energy-rich fuels (petroleum-based fuels), including gasoline, diesel, jet, heating, and other fuel oils, and [[liquefied petroleum gas]].<ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html#Howused "Crude oil is made into different fuels"]</ref>
Due to its high [[energy density]], easy [[transport]]ability and [[oil reserves|relative abundance]], it has become the world's most important source of energy since the mid-1950s. Petroleum is also the raw material for many [[chemical]] products, including [[pharmaceutical]]s, [[solvent]]s, [[fertilizer]]s, [[pesticide]]s, and [[plastic]]s; the 16% not used for energy production is converted into these other materials.
Petroleum is found in [[porosity|porous]] [[rock formations]] in the upper [[stratum|strata]] of some areas of the [[Earth]]'s [[crust (geology)|crust]]. There is also petroleum in [[tar sands|oil sands (tar sands)]]. Known [[oil reserves|reserves of petroleum]] are typically estimated at around 190 km<sup>3</sup> (1.2 [[1000000000 (number)|trillion]] [[long and short scales|(short scale)]] [[barrel (unit)|barrels]]) without oil sands,<ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/reserves.html EIA reserves estimates]</ref> or 595 km<sup>3</sup> (3.74 trillion barrels) with oil sands.<ref> [http://www.cera.com/aspx/cda/public1/news/pressReleases/pressReleaseDetails.aspx?CID=8444 CERA report on total world oil]</ref> Consumption is currently around {{convert|84|Moilbbl}} per day, or 4.9 km<sup>3</sup> per year. Because the [[EROEI|energy return over energy invested (EROEI)]] ratio of oil is constantly falling as petroleum recovery gets more difficult, recoverable oil reserves are significantly less than total oil-in-place. At current consumption levels, and assuming that oil will be consumed only from reservoirs, known recoverable reserves would be gone around 2039, potentially leading to a global [[energy crisis]]. However, there are factors which may extend or reduce this estimate, including the rapidly increasing demand for petroleum in [[China]], [[India]], and other developing nations; new discoveries; [[Mitigation of peak oil|energy conservation and use of alternative energy sources]]; and new economically viable exploitation of [[non-conventional oil]] sources.
==Chemistry==
[[Image:Octane molecule 3D model.png|thumb|right|250px|[[Octane]], a [[hydrocarbon]] found in petroleum, lines are [[single bond]]s, black [[spheres]] are [[carbon]], white spheres are [[hydrogen]]]]
Petroleum is a mixture of a very large number of different [[hydrocarbon]]s; the most commonly found molecules are [[alkane]]s (linear or branched), [[cycloalkane]]s, [[aromatic hydrocarbon]]s, or more complicated chemicals like [[asphaltene]]s. Each petroleum variety has a unique mix of [[molecule]]s, which define its physical and chemical properties, like color and [[viscosity]].
The '''alkanes''', also known as '''paraffins''', are [[saturation (chemistry)|saturated]] hydrocarbons with straight or branched chains which contain only [[carbon]] and [[hydrogen]] and have the general formula '''C<sub>n</sub>H<sub>2n+2</sub>''' They generally have from 5 to 40 carbon atoms per molecule, although trace amounts of shorter or longer molecules may be present in the mixture.
The alkanes from [[pentane]] (C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>12</sub>) to [[octane]] (C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>18</sub>) are [[oil refinery|refined]] into [[gasoline]] (petrol), the ones from [[nonane]] (C<sub>9</sub>H<sub>20</sub>) to [[hexadecane]] (C<sub>16</sub>H<sub>34</sub>) into [[diesel fuel]] and [[kerosene]] (primary component of many types of [[jet fuel]]), and the ones from hexadecane upwards into [[fuel oil]] and [[lubricating oil]]. At the heavier end of the range, [[paraffin wax]] is an alkane with approximately 25 carbon atoms, while [[asphalt]] has 35 and up, although these are usually [[Fluid catalytic cracking|cracked]] by modern refineries into more valuable products. Any shorter hydrocarbons are considered [[natural gas]] or [[natural gas liquids]].
The '''cycloalkanes''', also known as '''napthenes''', are saturated hydrocarbons which have one or more carbon rings to which hydrogen atoms are attached according to the formula '''C<sub>n</sub>H<sub>2n</sub>'''. Cycloalkanes have similar properties to alkanes but have higher boiling points.
The '''aromatic hydrocarbons''' are [[degree of unsaturation|unsaturated hydrocarbons]] which have one or more planar six-carbon rings called [[benzene ring]]s, to which hydrogen atoms are attached with the formula '''C<sub>n</sub>H<sub>n</sub>'''. They tend to burn with a sooty flame, and many have a sweet aroma. Some are carcinogenic.
These different molecules are separated by [[fractional distillation]] at an oil refinery to produce gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, and other hydrocarbons. For example [[2,2,4-trimethylpentane]] (isooctane), widely used in [[gasoline]], has a chemical formula of C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>18</sub> and it reacts with oxygen [[exothermic]]ally:<ref>[http://www.webmo.net/curriculum/heat_of_combustion/heat_of_combustion_key.html Heat of Combustion of Fuels]</ref>
<!-- Alternate way to display
C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>18</sub>(''l'') + 12.5O<sub>2</sub>(''g'') → 8CO<sub>2</sub>(''g'') + 9H<sub>2</sub>O(''g'') + 5.43 MJ/mol (of octane)
-->
:<math>2\mathrm{C}_8 \mathrm{H}_{18(l)} + 25\mathrm{O}_{2(g)} \rightarrow \; 16\mathrm{CO}_{2(g)} + 18\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}_{(l)} + 10.86 \ \mathrm{MJ}</math>
The amount of various molecules in an oil sample can be determined in laboratory. The molecules are typically extracted in a [[solvent]], then separated in a [[gas chromatograph]], and finally determined with a suitable [[detector]], such as a [[flame ionization detector]] or a [[mass spectrometer]]<ref>Use of ozone depleting substances in laboratories. TemaNord 2003:516. http://www.norden.org/pub/ebook/2003-516.pdf</ref>.
Incomplete combustion of petroleum or gasoline results in production of toxic byproducts. Too little oxygen results in [[carbon monoxide]]. Due to the high temperatures and high pressures involved, exhaust gases from gasoline combustion in car engines usually include [[nitrogen oxide]]s which are responsible for creation of [[photochemical smog]].
==Formation==
[[Geologist]]s view crude oil and [[natural gas]] as the product of [[diagenesis|compression and heating]] of ancient [[organic compound|organic materials]] (i.e. [[kerogen]]) over [[geologic time scale|geological time]]. Formation of petroleum occurs from [[hydrocarbon]] [[pyrolysis]], in a variety of mostly [[endothermic]] reactions at high temperature and/or pressure.<ref>[http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/10169154-cT5xip/10169154.PDF Petroleum Study]</ref> Today's oil formed from the preserved remains of [[prehistory|prehistoric]] [[zooplankton]] and [[algae]], which had settled to a sea or lake bottom in large quantities under [[anoxic sea water|anoxic conditions]] (the remains of prehistoric [[terrestrial plant]]s, on the other hand, tended to form [[coal]]). Over geological time the organic matter mixed with [[mud]], and was buried under heavy layers of [[sediment]] resulting in high levels of [[heat]] and [[pressure]] (known as [[diagenesis]]). This caused the organic matter to chemically change, first into a waxy material known as [[kerogen]] which is found in various [[oil shale]]s around the world, and then with more heat into liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in a process known as [[catagenesis (geology)|catagenesis]].
Geologists often refer to the temperature range in which oil forms as an "oil window"<ref>[http://oilismastery.blogspot.com/2008/05/oil-window.html Oil Is Mastery]</ref>—below the minimum temperature oil remains trapped in the form of kerogen, and above the maximum temperature the oil is converted to [[natural gas]] through the process of [[thermal cracking]]. Although this temperature range is found at different depths below the surface throughout the world, a typical depth for the oil window is 4–6 km. Sometimes, oil which is formed at extreme depths may migrate and become trapped at much shallower depths than where it was formed. The [[Athabasca Oil Sands]] is one example of this.
===Crude oil reservoirs===
[[Image:Structural Trap (Anticlinal).svg|thumb|140px|Hydrocarbon trap.]]
Three conditions must be present for oil reservoirs to form: a source rock rich in hydrocarbon material buried deep enough for subterranean heat to cook it into oil; a [[porous]] and [[permeability (fluid)|permeable]] reservoir rock for it to accumulate in; and a cap rock (seal) or other mechanism that prevents it from escaping to the surface. Within these reservoirs, fluids will typically organize themselves like a three-layer cake with a layer of water below the oil layer and a layer of gas above it, although the different layers vary in size between reservoirs.
Because most hydrocarbons are [[buoyancy|lighter]] than rock or water, they often migrate upward through adjacent rock layers until either reaching the surface or becoming trapped within porous rocks (known as [[oil reservoir|reservoirs]]) by impermeable rocks above. However, the process is influenced by underground water flows, causing oil to migrate hundreds of kilometres horizontally or even short distances downward before becoming trapped in a reservoir. When hydrocarbons are concentrated in a trap, an [[oil field]] forms, from which the liquid can be extracted by [[drill]]ing and [[pump]]ing.
The reactions that produce oil and natural gas are often modeled as first order breakdown reactions, where hydrocarbons are broken down to oil and natural gas by a set of parallel reactions, and oil eventually breaks down to natural gas by another set of reactions. The first set was originally patented in 1694 under British Crown Patent No. 330 covering, "a way to extract and make great quantityes of pitch, tarr, and oyle out of a sort of stone."
The latter set is regularly used in [[petrochemical]] plants and [[oil refineries]].
===Non-crude reservoirs===
Oil-eating bacteria [[biodegradation|biodegrades]] oil that has escaped to the surface. Oil sands are reservoirs of partially biodegraded oil still in the process of escaping, but contain so much migrating oil that, although most of it has escaped, vast amounts are still present—more than can be found in conventional oil reservoirs.
On the other hand, oil shales are source rocks that have not been exposed to heat or pressure long enough to convert their trapped kerogen into oil.<ref name=Lambertson>{{cite news | title=Oil Shale: Ready to Unlock the Rock | first=Giles | last=Lambertson | publisher=Construction Equipment Guide | url=http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=10092 | date=2008-02-16 | accessdate=2008-05-21}}</ref>
===Abiogenic origin===
{{main|Abiogenic petroleum origin}}
A number of geologists in Russia adhere to the [[abiogenic petroleum origin]] hypothesis and maintain that hydrocarbons of purely inorganic origin exist within Earth's interior. Astronomer [[Thomas Gold]] championed the theory in the [[Western world]] by supporting the work done by [[Nikolai Kudryavtsev]] in the 1950s. It is currently supported primarily by Kenney and Krayushkin.<ref>[http://www.gasresources.net/DisposalBioClaims.htm Kenney et al., Dismissal of the Claims of a Biological Connection for Natural Petroleum, Energia 2001]</ref>
The abiogenic origin hypothesis lacks scientific support, and all current oil reserves have biological origin. It also has not been successfully utilized in uncovering oil deposits by geologists.<ref> {{cite journal
|last= Glasby
|first=Geoffrey P.
|date=2006
|title= Abiogenic origin of hydrocarbons: an historical overview
|journal= Resource Geology
|volume=56
|issue=1
|pages=83–96
|url=http://static.scribd.com/docs/j79lhbgbjbqrb.pdf
|format=PDF
|accessdate=2008-02-17}}
</ref>
==Classification==
{{see also|Benchmark (crude oil)}}
[[Image:Petroleum.JPG|thumb|right|250px|A sample of medium heavy crude oil]]
The [[petroleum industry]] generally classifies crude oil by the geographic location it is produced in (e.g. [[West Texas]], [[Brent oilfield|Brent]], or [[Oman]]), its [[API gravity]] (an oil industry measure of density), and by its sulfur content. Crude oil may be considered ''[[Light crude oil|light]]'' if it has low density or ''[[Heavy crude oil|heavy]]'' if it has high density; and it may be referred to as [[sweet crude oil|sweet]] if it contains relatively little sulfur or ''[[sour crude oil|sour]]'' if it contains substantial amounts of sulfur.
The geographic location is important because it affects transportation costs to the refinery. ''Light'' crude oil is more desirable than ''heavy'' oil since it produces a higher yield of gasoline, while ''sweet'' oil commands a higher price than ''sour'' oil because it has fewer environmental problems and requires less refining to meet sulfur standards imposed on fuels in consuming countries. Each crude oil has unique molecular characteristics which are understood by the use of [[Crude oil assay|crude oil assay analysis]] in petroleum laboratories.
[[barrel (unit)|Barrel]]s from an area in which the crude oil's molecular characteristics have been determined and the oil has been classified are used as pricing [[Benchmark (crude oil)|references]] throughout the world. Some of the common reference crudes are:
* [[West Texas Intermediate]] (WTI), a very high-quality, sweet, light oil delivered at [[Cushing, Oklahoma]] for North American oil
* [[Brent Crude|Brent Blend]], comprising 15 oils from fields in the [[Brent oilfield|Brent]] and [[Ninian]] systems in the [[East Shetland Basin]] of the [[North Sea]]. The oil is landed at [[Sullom Voe]] terminal in the [[Shetlands]]. Oil production from Europe, Africa and Middle Eastern oil flowing West tends to be priced off the price of this oil, which forms a [[benchmark]]
* [[Dubai Crude|Dubai-Oman]], used as benchmark for Middle East sour crude oil flowing to the [[Asia]]-[[Pacific]] region
* Tapis (from [[Malaysia]], used as a reference for light Far East oil)
* Minas (from [[Indonesia]], used as a reference for heavy Far East oil)
* The [[OPEC Reference Basket]], a weighted average of oil blends from various [[OPEC]] (The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries
There are declining amounts of these benchmark oils being produced each year, so other oils are more commonly what is actually delivered. While the reference price may be for West Texas Intermediate delivered at Cushing, the actual oil being traded may be a discounted Canadian heavy oil delivered at [[Hardisty, Alberta]], and for a Brent Blend delivered at the Shetlands, it may be a Russian Export Blend delivered at the port of [[Primorsk, Leningrad Oblast|Primorsk]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Light Sweet Crude Oil
| work = About the Exchange
| publisher = New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX)
| date = 2006
| url = http://www.nymex.com/lsco_fut_descri.aspx
| accessdate = 2008-04-21}}
</ref>
==Petroleum industry==
{{main|Petroleum industry}}
[[Image:Oil Prices Medium Term.png|thumbnail]]
The petroleum industry is involved in the global processes of [[Hydrocarbon exploration|exploration]], [[Extraction of petroleum|extraction]], [[Oil refinery|refining]], transporting (often with [[oil tanker]]s and [[Pipeline transport|pipelines]]), and marketing petroleum products. The largest volume products of the industry are [[fuel oil]] and [[gasoline]] (petrol). Petroleum is also the raw material for many [[Petrochemical|chemical products]], including pharmaceuticals, solvents, fertilizers, pesticides, and plastics. The industry is usually divided into three major components: [[Upstream (oil industry)|upstream]], [[midstream]] and [[Downstream (oil industry)|downstream]]. Midstream operations are usually included in the downstream category.
Petroleum is vital to many [[industries]], and is of importance to the maintenance of industrialized [[civilization]] itself, and thus is critical concern to many nations. Oil accounts for a large percentage of the world’s energy consumption, ranging from a low of 32% for [[Europe]] and Asia, up to a high of 53% for the [[Middle East]]. Other geographic regions’ consumption patterns are as follows: South and [[Central America]] (44%), [[Africa]] (41%), and [[North America]] (40%). The world at large consumes 30 billion [[Barrel (unit)|barrels]] (4.8 km³) of oil per year, and the top oil consumers largely consist of developed nations. In fact, 24% of the oil consumed in 2004 went to the [[United States]] alone.<ref>"{{cite web |title=International Energy Annual 2004 |publisher=Energy Information Administration |date=2006-07-14 |url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/international/iealf/tablee2.xls |format=XLS}}</ref> The production, distribution, refining, and retailing of petroleum taken as a whole represent the single largest industry in terms of dollar value on earth.
{{see also|Price of petroleum|Oil price increases since 2003|Gasoline usage and pricing}}
==Petroleum exploration==
{{main|Hydrocarbon exploration}}
===Extraction===
{{Main|Extraction of petroleum}}
The most common method of obtaining petroleum is extracting it from [[oil well]]s found in [[oil field]]s. With improved technologies and higher demand for hydrocarbons various methods are applied in petroleum exploration and development to optimize the recovery of oil and gas ([[Enhanced oil recovery|Enhanced Oil Recovery]], EOR). [[Extraction of petroleum#Primary recovery|Primary recovery]] methods are used to extract oil that is brought to the surface by underground pressure, and can generally recover about 20% of the oil present. The natural pressure can come from several different sources; where it is provided by an underlying water layer it is called a ''water drive'' reservoir and where it is from the gas cap above it is called ''gas drive''. After the reservoir pressure has depleted to the point that the oil is no longer brought to the surface, [[Extraction of petroleum#Secondary recovery|secondary recovery]] methods draw another 5 to 10% of the oil in the well to the surface. In a water drive oil field, water can be injected into the water layer below the oil, and in a gas drive field it can be injected into the gas cap above to repressurize the reservoir. Finally, when secondary oil recovery methods are no longer viable, [[Extraction of petroleum#Tertiary recovery|tertiary recovery]] methods reduce the [[viscosity]] of the oil in order to bring more to the surface. These may involve the injection of heat, vapor, [[surfactant]]s, solvents, or miscible gases as in [[carbon dioxide flooding]].
===Alternative methods===
During the [[oil price increases since 2003]], alternative methods of producing oil gained importance. The most widely known alternatives involve extracting oil from sources such as oil shale or tar sands. These resources exist in large quantities; however, extracting the oil at low cost without excessively harming the environment remains a challenge.
It is also possible to chemically transform [[natural gas|methane]] or [[coal]] into the various hydrocarbons found in oil. The best-known such method is the [[Fischer-Tropsch process]]. It was a concept pioneered during the 1920s in Germany to extract oil from coal and became central to [[Nazi Germany]]'s war efforts when [[International trade|import]]s of petroleum were restricted due to war. It was known as ''Ersatz'' (English:"substitute") oil, and accounted for nearly half the total oil used in [[World War II|WWII]] by Germany. However, the process was used only as a last resort as naturally occurring oil was much cheaper. As crude oil prices increase, the cost of coal to oil conversion becomes comparatively cheaper. The method involves converting high ash coal into [[synthetic oil]] in a multi-stage process.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
Currently, two companies have commercialised their Fischer-Tropsch technology. [[Shell Oil]] in [[Bintulu]], [[Malaysia]], uses [[natural gas]] as a feedstock, and produces primarily low-[[sulfur]] [[diesel]] fuels.<ref>[http://www.shell.com.my/smds Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis Malaysia]</ref>
[[Sasol]]<ref>[http://www.sasol.com Sasol corporate website]</ref> in [[South Africa]] uses coal as a feedstock, and produces a variety of synthetic petroleum products.
The process is today used in [[South Africa]] to produce most of the country's [[diesel]] fuel from coal by the company [[Sasol]]. The process was used in South Africa to meet its energy needs during its isolation under [[Apartheid]]. This process produces low [[sulfur]] [[diesel]] fuel but also produces large amounts of [[greenhouse gas]]es.
An alternative method of converting coal into petroleum is the [[Karrick process]], which was pioneered in the 1930s in the [[United States]]. It uses low temperatures in the absence of ambient air, to [[distill]] the short-chain hydrocarbons out of coal instead of petroleum.
{{see|Destructive distillation}}
[[Oil shale]] can also be used to produce oil, either through mining and processing, or in more modern methods, with in-situ thermal conversion.
Conventional crude can be extracted from unconventional reservoirs, such as the [[Bakken Formation]]. The formation is about two miles (3 km) underground but only a few meters thick, stretching across hundreds of thousands of square miles. It further has very poor extraction characteristics. Recovery at [[Elm Coulee Oil Field|Elm Coulee]] has involved extensive use of horizontal drilling, solvents, and proppants.
More recently explored is [[thermal depolymerization]] (TDP), a process for the reduction of complex [[organic material]]s into light [[crude oil]]. Using pressure and heat, long chain [[polymer]]s of [[hydrogen]], [[oxygen]], and [[carbon]] decompose into short-chain [[hydrocarbons]]. This mimics the natural [[geology|geological]] processes thought to be involved in the production of [[fossil fuel]]s. In theory, thermal depolymerization can convert any organic waste into petroleum substitutes.
==History==
[[Image:Ignacy Lukasiewicz.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Ignacy Łukasiewicz]] - creator of the process of refining of kerosene from crude oil.]]
Petroleum, in some form or other, is not a substance new in the world's history. More than four thousand years ago, according to [[Herodotus]] and confirmed by [[Diodorus Siculus]], [[asphalt]] was employed in the construction of the walls and towers of [[Babylon]]; there were oil pits near Ardericca (near Babylon), and a pitch spring on [[Zacynthus]].<ref name=EB1911>{{1911|article=Petroleum}}</ref> Great quantities of it were found on the banks of the river [[Issus (river)|Issus]], one of the tributaries of the [[Euphrates]]. Ancient [[Persian Empire|Persian]] tablets indicate the medicinal and lighting uses of petroleum in the upper levels of their society.
Oil was exploited in the Roman province of [[Dacia]], now in Romania, where it was called picula. The earliest known [[oil well]]s were drilled in [[China]] in 347 CE or earlier. They had depths of up to about {{convert|800|ft}} and were drilled using [[drill bit|bits]] attached to [[bamboo]] poles.<ref name=ASTM>[http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/D02/to1899_index.html ASTM timeline of oil]</ref> The oil was burned to evaporate [[brine]] and produce [[sodium chloride|salt]]. By the 10th century, extensive [[bamboo]] pipelines connected oil wells with salt springs. The ancient records of China and [[Japan]] are said to contain many allusions to the use of natural gas for lighting and heating. Petroleum was known as ''burning water'' in Japan in the 7th century.<ref name=EB1911 /> In his book [[Dream Pool Essays]] written at 1088 AD, the polymathic scientist and statesman [[Shen Kuo]] of the Song Dynasty used a 2-character Chinese word ''Shi2 You2'', literally ''Rock Oil'', to name the petroleum, and this word is still being used now in contemporary Chinese.
The [[Middle East]]'s [[petroleum industry]] was established by the 8th century, when the [[street]]s of the newly constructed [[Baghdad]] were paved with [[tar]], derived from petroleum that became accessible from natural fields in the region. In the 9th century, [[oil field]]s were exploited in the area around modern [[Baku]], [[Azerbaijan]], to produce [[naphtha]]. These fields were described by the [[Islamic geography|Arab geographer]] [[Abu al-Hasan 'Alī al-Mas'ūdī]] in the 10th century, and by [[Marco Polo]] in the 13th century, who described the output of those wells as hundreds of shiploads. Petroleum was [[Distillation|distilled]] by the [[Persian people|Persian]] alchemist [[Muhammad ibn Zakarīya Rāzi]] (Rhazes) in the 9th century, producing chemicals such as [[kerosene]] in the [[alembic]] (''al-ambiq''),<ref name=Ajram>{{cite book|author=Dr. Kasem Ajram|title=The Miracle of Islam Science|edition=2nd Edition|publisher=Knowledge House Publishers|year=1992|id=ISBN 0-911119-43-4}}</ref> and which was mainly used for [[kerosene lamp]]s.<ref>Zayn Bilkadi ([[University of California, Berkeley]]), "The Oil Weapons", ''[[Saudi Aramco World]]'', January-February 1995, pp. 20-7</ref> [[Alchemy and chemistry in Islam|Arab and Persian chemists]] also distilled crude oil in order to produce [[Flammability|flammable]] products for military purposes. Through [[Al-Andalus|Islamic Spain]], distillation became available in [[Western Europe]] by the 12th century.<ref>{{cite web|title=petroleum|publisher=''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''|author=Joseph P. Riva Jr. and Gordon I. Atwater|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/454269/petroleum|accessdate=2008-06-30}}</ref> It has also been present in Romania since the 13th century, being recorded as păcură.<ref> Istoria Romaniei, Vol II, p. 300, 1960</ref>
The earliest mention of American petroleum occurs in [[Sir Walter Raleigh]]'s account of the [[Trinidad]] [[Pitch Lake]] in 1595; whilst thirty-seven years later, the account of a visit of a Franciscan, Joseph de la Roche d'Allion, to the oil springs of New York was published in Sagard's ''Histoire du Canada''. A Russian traveller, Peter Kalm, in his work on America published in 1748 showed on a map the oil springs of Pennsylvania.<ref name=EB1911 />
In 1710 or 1711 (sources vary) the Russian-born Swiss physician and Greek teacher [[Eyrini d’Eyrinis]] (also spelled as Eirini d'Eirinis) discovered asphaltum at [[Val-de-Travers]], ([[Neuchâtel]]). He established a bitumen mine ''de la Presta'' there in 1719 that operated until 1986.<ref>[http://www.ville-ge.ch/mhng/page1/bal-05-23.htm (broken link)] Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Geneva. accessed 2007-10-26</ref><ref name=Lapaire>[http://www.minerauxetfossiles.com/revue/dernier_numero/numero_info45.htm Le bitume et la mine de la Presta (Suisse), Jacques Lapaire, ''Mineraux et Fossiles'' No 315]</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=JZBMAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA345&dq=Eyrini "Asphaltum"] ''Stoddart's Encyclopaedia Americana'' (1883) pages 344–345</ref><ref>Eirinis' paper, entitled "Dissertation sur la mine d'asphalte contenant la manière dont se doivent régler Messieurs les associés pour son exploitation, le profit du Roy, & celui de la Société, & ce qui sera dû à Mr d'Erinis à qui elle apartient 'per Ligium feudum' " is held at the BPU Neuchâtel - Fonds d'étude [Ne V] [http://opacrbnj.rero.ch/gateway catalogue]</ref>
Oil sands were mined from 1745 in [[Merkwiller-Pechelbronn]], [[Alsace]] under the direction of [[Louis Pierre Ancillon de la Sablonnière]], by special appointment of [[Louis XV]].<ref name=Pechelbronn> [http://www.musee-du-petrole.com/site%20anglais/page%204.htm History of Pechelbronn oil]</ref>
The Pechelbronn oil field was active until 1970, and was the birth place of companies like [[Antar]] and [[Schlumberger]]. The first modern refinery was built there in 1857.<ref name=Pechelbronn/>
The [[modern world|modern history]] of petroleum began in 1846 with the discovery of the process of refining [[kerosene]] from [[coal]] by [[Nova Scotia]]n [[Abraham Pineo Gesner]]. [[Ignacy Łukasiewicz]] improved Gesner's method to develop a means of refining kerosene from the more readily available "rock oil" ("petr-oleum") [[seep]]s in 1852 and the first rock oil mine was built in [[Bóbrka]], near [[Krosno]] in [[Galicia (Central Europe)|Galicia]] in the following year. In 1854, [[Benjamin Silliman]], a science professor at [[Yale University]] in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], was the first to fractionate petroleum by distillation. These discoveries rapidly spread around the world, and [[Meerzoeff]] built the first Russian [[Oil refinery|refinery]] in the mature oil fields at [[Baku]] in 1861. At that time Baku produced about 90% of the world's oil.
[[Image:Oilfields California.jpg|frame|Oil field in [[California]], 1938.]]
The first commercial oil well drilled in [[Romania]] in 1857 at Bend, North of [[Bucharest]]. The first oil well in [[North America]] was in [[Oil Springs, Ontario]], [[Canada]] in 1858, dug by [[James Miller Williams]]. The US petroleum [[industry]] began with [[Edwin Drake]]'s drilling of a {{convert|69|ft|m|0|sing=on}} oil well in 1859, on [[Oil Creek (Allegheny River)|Oil Creek]] near [[Titusville, Pennsylvania]], for the Seneca Oil Company (originally yielding {{convert|25|oilbbl/d|m3/d}}, by the end of the year output was at the rate of {{convert|15|oilbbl/d|m3/d}}). The industry grew through the 1800s, driven by the demand for [[kerosene]] and [[oil lamp]]s. It became a major [[nation]]al concern in the early part of the 20th century; the introduction of the [[internal combustion engine]] provided a demand that has largely sustained the industry to this day. Early "local" finds like those in [[Pennsylvania]] and [[Ontario]] were quickly outpaced by demand, leading to "oil booms" in [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[California]].
Early production of crude petroleum in the United States:<ref name=EB1911 />
* 1859: {{bbl to t|2000}}
* 1869: {{bbl to t|4215000}}
* 1879: {{bbl to t|19914146}}
* 1889: {{bbl to t|35163513}}
* 1899: {{bbl to t|57084428}}
* 1906: {{bbl to t|126493936}}
By 1910, significant oil fields had been discovered in [[Canada]] (specifically, in the province of [[Ontario]]), the [[Dutch East Indies]] (1885, in [[Sumatra]]), [[Iran]] (1908, in [[Masjed Soleiman]]), [[Peru]], [[Venezuela]], and [[Mexico]], and were being developed at an industrial level.
Even until the mid-1950s, [[coal]] was still the world's foremost fuel, but oil quickly took over. Following the [[1973 energy crisis]] and the [[1979 energy crisis]], there was significant [[News media|media]] coverage of oil supply levels. This brought to light the concern that oil is a limited resource that will [[peak oil|eventually run out]], at least as an economically viable energy source. At the time, the most common and popular predictions were quite dire. However, a period of increase production and reduced demand caused an [[1980s oil glut|oil glut in the 1980s]].
Today, about 90% of vehicular fuel needs are met by oil. Petroleum also makes up 40% of total energy consumption in the United States, but is responsible for only 2% of electricity generation. Petroleum's worth as a portable, dense energy source powering the vast majority of vehicles and as the base of many industrial chemicals makes it one of the world's most important [[commodity|commodities]]. Access to it was a major factor in several military conflicts of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, including [[World War II]]<ref>Hanson Baldwin, 1959, [http://www.oil150.com/essays/2007/08/oil-strategy-in-world-war-ii “Oil Strategy in World War II"], ''American Petroleum Institute Quarterly – Centennial Issue'', pages 10-11. American Petroleum Institute.</ref> and the Persian Gulf Wars ([[Iran-Iraq War]], [[Gulf War|Operation Desert Storm]], and the [[Iraq War]])<ref name=Robison2006>{{Citation
| title = The Middle East War Process: The Truth Behind America's Middle East Challenge
| url = http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=6EML4pNKgSUC
| author = Robison, R.P.
| year = 2006
| publisher = Authorhouse
| accessdate = 2008-06-18
}}</ref>. The top three oil producing countries are [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Russia]], and the [[United States]].<ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922041.html InfoPlease]</ref> About 80% of the world's readily accessible reserves are located in the [[Middle East]], with 62.5% coming from the Arab 5: [[Saudi Arabia]] (12.5%), [[UAE]], [[Iraq]], [[Qatar]] and [[Kuwait]]. However, with today's oil prices, Venezuela has larger reserves than Saudi Arabia due to crude reserves derived from [[bitumen]].
==Uses==
The chemical structure of petroleum is composed of [[hydrocarbon]] chains of different lengths. Because of this, petroleum may be taken to [[oil refinery|oil refineries]] and the hydrocarbon chemicals separated by [[distillation]] and treated by other [[chemical process]]es, to be used for a variety of purposes. See [[Petroleum product]]s.
===Fuels===
{{See|alternative fuel}}
*[[Ethane]] and other short-chain [[alkanes]] which are used as fuel
*[[Diesel|Diesel fuel]] (petrodiesel)
*[[Fuel oil]]s
*[[Gasoline]]
*[[Jet fuel]]
*[[Kerosene]]
*[[Liquid petroleum gas]] (LPG)
*[[Natural gas]]
Generally used in transportation, power plants and heating.
Petroleum vehicles are [[internal combustion engine]] vehicles.
===Other derivatives===
Certain types of resultant hydrocarbons may be mixed with other non-hydrocarbons, to create other end products:
*[[Alkenes]] (olefins) which can be manufactured into [[plastics]] or other compounds
*[[Lubricant]]s (produces light machine oils, [[motor oil]]s, and [[Grease (lubricant)|grease]]s, adding [[viscosity]] stabilizers as required).
*[[Wax]], used in the packaging of [[frozen food]]s, among others.
*[[Sulfur]] or [[Sulfuric acid]]. These are a useful industrial materials. Sulfuric acid is usually prepared as the acid precursor [[oleum]], a byproduct of [[Hydrodesulfurization|sulfur removal]] from fuels.
*Bulk [[tar]].
*[[Asphalt]]
*[[Petroleum coke]], used in speciality carbon products or as solid fuel.
*[[Paraffin wax]]
*[[Aromatic]] [[petrochemical]]s to be used as precursors in other [[chemical]] production.
===Consumption statistics===
[[Image:Global Carbon Emission by Type to Y2004.png|thumb|250px|Global fossil carbon emissions, an indicator of consumption, for 1800-2004. Total is black. Oil is in blue.]]
<gallery>
Image:Hubbert world 2004.png|2004 U.S. government predictions for oil production other than in [[OPEC]] and the [[former Soviet Union]]
Image:EIA_IEO2006.jpg|World energy consumption, 1980-2030. ''Source: International Energy Outlook 2006.''
</gallery>
==Environmental effects==
[[Image:Dieselrainbow.jpg|thumb|right|Diesel fuel spill on a road]]
The presence of oil has significant [[society|social]] and [[environment (biophysical)|environment]]al impacts, from accidents and routine activities such as [[seismology|seismic]] exploration, [[drilling]], and generation of [[pollution|polluting]] wastes not produced by other alternative energies.
=== Extraction ===
Oil extraction is costly and sometimes environmentally damaging, although Dr. [[John Hunt (oceanographer)|John Hunt]] of the [[Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution]] pointed out in a 1981 paper that over 70% of the reserves in the world are associated with visible [[seep|macroseepage]]s, and many oil fields are found due to natural [[seep]]s. Offshore exploration and extraction of oil disturbs the surrounding marine environment.<ref>[http://www.offshore-environment.com/discharges.html Waste discharges during the offshore oil and gas activity] by Stanislave Patin, tr. Elena Cascio</ref> Extraction may involve [[dredging]], which stirs up the [[seabed]], killing the sea plants that marine creatures need to survive. But at the same time, offshore [[oil platform]]s also form micro-habitats for marine creatures.
=== Oil spills ===
[[Image:PrestigeVolunteersInGaliciaCoast.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Volunteers cleaning up the aftermath of the [[Prestige oil spill]]]]
{{Main|Oil spill}}
Crude oil and refined fuel [[Oil spill|spills]] from [[tanker (ship)|tanker ship]] accidents have damaged natural [[ecosystem]]s in [[Alaska]], the [[Galapagos Islands]], [[France]] and many [[List of oil spills|other places]].
The quantity of oil spilled during accidents has ranged from a few hundred tons to several hundred thousand tons ([[Atlantic Empress]], [[Amoco Cadiz]]...). Smaller spills have already proven to have a great impact on ecosystems, such as the [[Exxon Valdez oil spill]]
Oil spills at sea are generally much more damaging than those on land, since they can spread for hundreds of [[nautical mile]]s in a thin [[oil slick]] which can cover [[beach]]es with a thin coating of oil. This can kill sea birds, mammals, shellfish and other organisms it coats. Oil spills on land are more readily containable if a makeshift earth [[dam]] can be rapidly [[bulldozed]] around the spill site before most of the oil escapes, and land animals can avoid the oil more easily.
Control of oil spills is difficult, requires ad hoc methods, and often a large amount of manpower (picture). The dropping of bombs and incendiary devices from aircraft on the [[Torrey Canyon]] wreck got poor results;<ref>[[Torrey Canyon#Accident|Torrey Canyon bombing by the Navy and RAF]]</ref> modern techniques would include pumping the oil from the wreck, like in the [[Prestige oil spill]] or the [[Erika (tanker)|Erika]] oil spill.<ref>[http://www.total.com/en/group/news/special_report_erika/erika_measures_total/erika_pumping_cargo_11379.htm Pumping of the Erika cargo]</ref>
=== Global warming ===
{{Main|Global warming}}
Burning oil releases [[carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>) into the atmosphere, which is credited with contributing to [[global warming]]. Per [[joule]], oil produces 15% less CO<sub>2</sub> than [[coal]], but 30% more than [[natural gas]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. However, the unique role of oil as the main source of [[transportation]] [[fuel]] makes reducing its CO<sub>2</sub> emissions a difficult problem. While large [[power plant]]s can, in theory, eliminate their CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by techniques such as [[carbon sequestering]] or even use them to increase oil production through [[enhanced oil recovery]] techniques, these amelioration strategies do not generally work for individual vehicles
=== Whales ===
It has been argued that the advent of petroleum-refined kerosene saved the great cetaceans from extinction by providing a cheap substitute for whale oil, thus eliminating the economic imperative for [[whaling]].<ref>[http://www.littletechshoppe.com/ns1625/gesner.html How Capitalism Saved the Whales] by James S. Robbins, ''The Freeman'', August, 1992.</ref>
==Alternatives to petroleum==
{{Main|Renewable energy}}
In the United States in 2007 about 70% of petroleum was used by transportation (e.g. gasoline, diesel, jet fuel), 24% by industry (e.g. plastics), 5% for residential and commercial uses, and 2% for electricity production. <ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/pecss_diagram.html "U.S. Primary Energy Consumption by Source and Sector, 2007"]. Energy Information Administration</ref> Outside of the US, a higher proportion of petroleum tends to be used for electricity. <ref>[http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=9&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rrcap.unep.org%2Fmd%2Fmalereport%2F2006%2FProceeding%2FII_RCS3%2FAtt5_Initiatives%2FRSC3_2-5_Power%2520Sector%2520.ppt&ei=2rd1SPrQJZGqtQPhoqTaCg&usg=AFQjCNH7BuzJZE0sFU7RB8cQOgOdC_I7EA&sig2=FINHJAE_jFS-2O7y1u8uvQ needtitle]UN Energy Program</ref>
===Alternatives to petroleum-based vehicle fuels===
{{main|Alternative propulsion|Biofuel|Fuel economy|Hydrogen economy}}
The term alternative propulsion or "alternative methods of propulsion" includes both:
* [[alternative fuel]]s used in standard or modified [[internal combustion engine]]s (i.e. combustion [[hydrogen]] or [[biofuel]]s).
* propulsion systems not based on internal combustion, such as those based on [[electricity]] (for example, [[electric vehicle|all-electric]] or [[hybrid vehicle]]s), [[air vehicle|compressed air]], or [[fuel cell]]s (i.e. hydrogen fuel cells).
Nowadays, cars can be classified into the following groups:
* Petro-cars, this is, only use petroleum and biofuels ([[biodiesel]] and [[biobutanol]]).
* Advanced technology petro-cars such as [[hybrid vehicle]]s which use petroleum and/or biofuels, albeit far more efficiently.<ref>Amory B. Lovins,
E. Kyle Datta, Odd-Even Bustnes, Jonathan G. Koomey, Nathan J. Glasgow. [http://www.oilendgame.com/pdfs/WtOEg_ExecSummary.pdf "Winning the oil endgame"] Rocky Mountain Institute</ref>
* [[Plug-in hybrid]]s, that can store and use externally produced electricity in addition to petroleum.
* Petrofree cars, that do not use petroleum, like [[electric car]]s, [[hydrogen vehicle]]s...
===Alternatives to using oil in industry===
If the price of petroleum remains high, biological alternatives are likely to be developed for industrial uses. <ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003646852_bioprocessing02.html Bioprocessing] ''Seattle Times'' (2003)</ref>
===Alternatives to burning petroleum for electricity===
If the price of petroleum remains high, other fuels and/or mechanisms are likely to replace petroleum for electricity production.
==Future of petroleum production==
{{main|Peak oil|Hubbert peak theory}}
The future of petroleum as a fuel remains somewhat controversial. ''[[USA Today]]'' news reported in 2004 that there were 40 years of petroleum left in the ground. Some argue that because the total amount of petroleum is finite, the dire predictions of the 1970s have merely been postponed. Others claim that technology will continue to allow for the production of cheap hydrocarbons and that the earth has vast sources of unconventional petroleum reserves in the form of tar sands, bitumen fields and oil shale that will allow for petroleum use to continue in the future, with both the Canadian tar sands and United States shale oil deposits representing potential reserves matching existing liquid petroleum deposits worldwide.<ref name=Lambertson>{{cite news | title=Oil Shale: Ready to Unlock the Rock | first=Giles | last=Lambertson | publisher=Construction Equipment Guide | url=http://www.cegltd.com/story.asp?story=10092 | date=2008-02-16 | accessdate=2008-05-21}}</ref>
===Hubbert peak theory===
The [[Hubbert peak theory]] (also known as [[peak oil]]) posits that future petroleum production (whether for individual oil wells, entire oil fields, whole countries, or worldwide production) will eventually peak and then decline at a similar rate to the rate of increase before the peak as these reserves are exhausted. It also suggests a method to calculate the timing of this peak, based on past production rates, the observed peak of past discovery rates, and proven oil reserves. The peak of oil discoveries was in 1965, and oil production per year has surpassed oil discoveries every year since 1980.<ref name=campbell1222000>
{{cite web
|url=http://energycrisis.org/de/lecture.html
|title=Peak Oil] Presentation at the Technical University of Clausthal
|author=Campbell CJ
|date=2000-12
}}</ref>
In 1956, [[M. King Hubbert]] correctly predicted US oil production would peak around 1971. When this occurred and the US began losing its excess production capacity, [[OPEC]] gained the ability to manipulate oil prices, leading to the [[1973 oil crisis|1973]] and [[1979 oil crisis|1979 oil crises]]. Since then, most [[Peak_oil#Peak_oil_for_individual_nations|other countries have also peaked]]. China has confirmed that two of its largest producing regions are in decline, and Mexico's national oil company, [[Pemex]], has announced that [[Cantarell Field]], one of the world's largest offshore fields, was expected to peak in 2006, and then decline 14% per annum.
Controversy surrounds predictions of the timing of the global peak, as these predictions are dependent on the past production and discovery data used in the calculation as well as how unconventional reserves are considered. Supergiant fields have been discovered in the past decade, such as Azadegan, Carioca/Sugar Loaf, Tupi, Jupiter, Ferdows/Mounds/Zagheh, Tahe, Jidong Nanpu/Bohai Bay, West Kamchatka, and Kashagan, as well as tremendous reservoir growth from places like the Bakken and massive syncrude operations in Venezuela and Canada.<ref>[http://www.ncpa.org/pub/bg/bg159/ NCPA - Policy Backgrounder 159 - Are We Running Out of Oil?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, while past understanding of total oil reserves changed with newer scientific understanding of petroleum geology, current estimates of total oil reserves have been [[Peak_oil#Historical_understanding_of_world_oil_supply_limits|in general agreement since the 1960s]]. Further, predictions regarding the timing of the peak are highly dependent on the past production and discovery data used in the calculation.
It is difficult to predict the [[peak oil|oil peak]] in any given region, due to the lack of transparency in [[accounting]] of global oil reserves.<ref>[http://www.iags.org/n0331043.htm New study raises doubts about Saudi oil reserves]</ref> Based on available production data, proponents have previously predicted the peak for the world to be in years 1989, 1995, or 1995-2000. Some of these predictions date from before the recession of the early 1980s, and the consequent reduction in global consumption, the effect of which was to delay the date of any peak by several years. Just as the 1971 U.S. peak in oil production was only clearly recognized after the fact, a peak in world production will be difficult to discern until production clearly drops off.
==Petroleum by country==
<!-- this was a left over from a previous incarnation of the section. It is no longer a useful link. I looked around for a better link but didn't find one. Feel free to create an article on consumption/production etc. by country {{main|Petroleum Industry}} -->
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:WorldPetroleum2007.png|thumb|center|550px|Mean oil production by country in 2007, shown as a percentage of the top producer (Saudi Arabia - 10.2 millions of barrels per day).]] -->
[[Image:OilConsumptionpercapita.png|thumb|center|550px|Oil consumption per capita (darker colors represent more consumption).]]
===Consumption rates===
There are two main ways to measure the oil consumption rates of countries: by population or by [[gross domestic product]] (GDP). This metric is important in the global debate over oil consumption/energy consumption/climate change because it takes social and economic considerations into account when scoring countries on their oil consumption/energy consumption/climate change goals. Nations such as China and India with large populations tend to promote the use of population based metrics, while nations with large economies such as the United States would tend to promote the [[GDP]] based metric.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| style="text-align: right;" border="1" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable"
! Selected Nations
! GDP-to-consumption ratio<br/>(US$1000/(barrel/year))
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Switzerland]]
|3.75
|-
|{{rh}}|[[United Kingdom]]
|3.34
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Norway]]
|3.31
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Austria]]
|2.96
|-
|{{rh}}|[[France]]
|2.65
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Germany]]
|2.89
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Sweden]]
|2.71
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Italy]]
|2.57
|-
|{{rh}}|[[European Union]]
|2.52
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Democratic Republic of the Congo|DRC]]
|2.4
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Japan]]
|2.34
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Australia]]
|2.21
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Spain]]
|1.96
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Bangladesh]]
|1.93
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Poland]]
|1.87
|-
|{{rh}}|[[United States]]
|1.65
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Belgium]]
|1.59
|-
|{{rh}}|[[World]]
|'''1.47'''
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Turkey]]
|1.39
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Canada]]
|1.35
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Mexico]]
|1.07
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Ethiopia]]
|1.04
|-
|{{rh}}|[[South Korea]]
|1.00
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Philippines]]
|1.00
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Brazil]]
|0.99
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Republic of China (Taiwan)]]
|0.98
|-
|{{rh}}|[[China]]
|0.94
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Nigeria]]
|0.94
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Pakistan]]
|0.93
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Myanmar]]
|0.89
|-
|{{rh}}|[[India]]
|0.86
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Russia]]
|0.84
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Indonesia]]
|0.71
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Vietnam]]
|0.61
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Thailand]]
|0.53
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Saudi Arabia]]
|0.46
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Egypt]]
|0.41
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Singapore]]
|0.40
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Iran]]
|0.35
|-
|}
{{col-break}}
{| style="text-align: right;" border="1" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable"
! Selected Nations
! Per capita energy consumption, oil equivalent <br/>(barrel/person/year)
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Democratic Republic of the Congo|DRC]]
|0.13
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Ethiopia]]
|0.37
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Bangladesh]]
|0.57
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Myanmar]]
|0.73
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Pakistan]]
|1.95
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Nigeria]]
|2.17
|-
|{{rh}}|[[India]]
|2.18
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Vietnam]]
|2.70
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Philippines]]
|3.77
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Indonesia]]
|4.63
|-
|{{rh}}|[[China]]
|4.96
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Egypt]]
|7.48
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Turkey]]
|9.85
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Brazil]]
|11.67
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Poland]]
|11.67
|-
|{{rh}}|[[World]]
|'''12.55'''
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Thailand]]
|13.86
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Russia]]
|17.66
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Mexico]]
|18.07
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Iran]]
|21.56
|-
|{{rh}}|[[European Union]]
|29.70
|-
|{{rh}}|[[United Kingdom]]
|30.18
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Germany]]
|32.31
|-
|{{rh}}|[[France]]
|32.43
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Italy]]
|32.43
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Austria]]
|34.01
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Spain]]
|35.18
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Switzerland]]
|34.64
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Sweden]]
|34.68
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Republic of China (Taiwan)]]
|41.68
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Japan]]
|42.01
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Australia]]
|42.22
|-
|{{rh}}|[[South Korea]]
|43.84
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Norway]]
|52.06
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Belgium]]
|61.52
|-
|{{rh}}|[[United States]]
|68.81
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Canada]]
|69.85
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Saudi Arabia]]
|75.08
|-
|{{rh}}|[[Singapore]]
|178.45
|-
|}
(Note: The figure for Singapore is skewed because of its small<br/>population compared with its large oil refining capacity.<br/>Most of this oil is sent to other countries.)
{{col-end}}
===Production===
{{for|oil reserves by country|Oil reserves#Proven reserves in order}}
[[Image:Oil producing countries map.png|thumb|center|450px|Oil producing [[List of oil-producing states|countries]]]]
In petroleum industry parlance, ''production'' refers to the quantity of crude extracted from reserves, not the literal creation of the product.
{| style="text-align: right;" border="1" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable"
!#
!Producing Nation
!10<sup>3</sup>bbl/d (2006)
!10<sup>3</sup>bbl/d (2007)
|-
|1
|{{rh}}|[[Saudi Arabia]] ([[OPEC]])
|10,665
|10,234
|-
|2
|{{rh}}|[[Russia]] <sup>1</sup>
|9,677
|9,876
|-
|3
|{{rh}}|[[United States]] <sup>1</sup>
|8,331
|8,481
|-
|4
|{{rh}}|[[Iran]] (OPEC)
|4,148
|4,043
|-
|5
|{{rh}}|[[China]]
|3,845
|3,901
|-
|6
|{{rh}}|[[Mexico]] <sup>1</sup>
|3,707
|3,501
|-
|7
|{{rh}}|[[Canada]] <sup>2</sup>
|3,288
|3,358
|-
|8
|{{rh}}|[[United Arab Emirates]] (OPEC)
|2,945
|2,948
|-
|9
|{{rh}}|[[Venezuela]] (OPEC) <sup>1</sup>
|2,803
|2,667
|-
|10
|{{rh}}|[[Kuwait]] (OPEC)
|2,675
|2,613
|-
|11
|{{rh}}|[[Norway]] <sup>1</sup>
|2,786
|2,565
|-
|12
|{{rh}}|[[Nigeria]] (OPEC)
|2,443
|2,352
|-
|13
|{{rh}}|[[Brazil]]
|2,166
|2,279
|-
|14
|{{rh}}|[[Algeria]] (OPEC)
|2,122
|2,173
|-
|15
|{{rh}}|[[Iraq]] (OPEC) <sup>3</sup>
|2,008
|2,094
|-
|16
|{{rh}}|[[Libya]] (OPEC)
|1,809
|1,845
|-
|17
|{{rh}}|[[Angola]] (OPEC)
|1,435
|1,769
|-
|18
|{{rh}}|[[United Kingdom]]
|1,689
|1,690
|-
|19
|{{rh}}|[[Kazakhstan]]
|1,388
|1,445
|-
|20
|{{rh}}|[[Qatar]] (OPEC)
|1,141
|1,136
|-
|21
|{{rh}}|[[Indonesia]]
|1,102
|1,044
|-
|22
|{{rh}}|[[India]]
|854
|881
|-
|23
|{{rh}}|[[Azerbaijan]]
|648
|850
|-
|24
|{{rh}}|[[Argentina]]
|802
|791
|-
|25
|{{rh}}|[[Oman]]
|743
|714
|-
|26
|{{rh}}|[[Malaysia]]
|729
|703
|-
|27
|{{rh}}|[[Egypt]]
|667
|664
|-
|28
|{{rh}}|[[Australia]]
|552
|595
|-
|29
|{{rh}}|[[Colombia]]
|544
|543
|-
|30
|{{rh}}|[[Ecuador]] (OPEC)
|536
|512
|-
|31
|{{rh}}|[[Sudan]]
|380
|466
|-
|32
|{{rh}}|[[Syria]]
|449
|446
|-
|33
|{{rh}}|[[Equatorial Guinea]]
|386
|400
|-
|34
|{{rh}}|[[Yemen]]
|377
|361
|-
|35
|{{rh}}|[[Vietnam]]
|362
|352
|-
|36
|{{rh}}|[[Thailand]]
|334
|349
|-
|37
|{{rh}}|[[Denmark]]
|344
|314
|-
|38
|{{rh}}|[[Republic of the Congo|Congo]]
|247
|250
|-
|39
|{{rh}}|[[Gabon]]
|237
|244
|-
|40
|{{rh}}|[[South Africa]]
|204
|199
|}
Source: [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/index.cfm U.S. Energy Information Administration]
<small><sup>1</sup> [[Oil reserves#Countries that have already passed their production peak|peak production of conventional oil already passed in this state]]</small>
<small><sup>2</sup> Although Canadian conventional oil production is declining, total oil production is increasing as oil sands production grows. If oil sands are included, it has the world's second largest oil reserves after Saudi Arabia.
<small><sup>3</sup> Though still a member, Iraq has not been included in production figures since 1998</small>
===Export===
[[Image:Oil exports.PNG|thumb|300px|Oil exports by country]]
In order of net exports in 2006 in thousand [[Barrel (unit)|bbl]]/[[Day|d]] and thousand [[Cubic metre|m³]]/d:
{| style="text-align: right;" border="1" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable"
!#
!Exporting Nation (2006)
!(10<sup>3</sup>bbl/d)
!(10<sup>3</sup>m<sup>3</sup>/d)
|-
|1
|{{rh}}|[[Saudi Arabia]] ([[OPEC]])
|8,651
|1,376
|-
|2
|{{rh}}|[[Russia]] <sup>1</sup>
|6,565
|1,044
|-
|3
|{{rh}}|[[Norway]] <sup>1</sup>
|2,542
|404
|-
|4
|{{rh}}|[[Iran]] (OPEC)
|2,519
|401
|-
|5
|{{rh}}|[[United Arab Emirates]] (OPEC)
|2,515
|400
|-
|6
|{{rh}}|[[Venezuela]] (OPEC) <sup>1</sup>
|2,203
|350
|-
|7
|{{rh}}|[[Kuwait]] (OPEC)
|2,150
|342
|-
|8
|{{rh}}|[[Nigeria]] (OPEC)
|2,146
|341
|-
|9
|{{rh}}|[[Algeria]] (OPEC) <sup>1</sup>
|1,847
|297
|-
|10
|{{rh}}|[[Mexico]] <sup>1</sup>
|1,676
|266
|-
|11
|{{rh}}|[[Libya]] (OPEC) <sup>1</sup>
|1,525
|242
|-
|12
|{{rh}}|[[Iraq]] (OPEC)
|1,438
|229
|-
|13
|{{rh}}|[[Angola]] (OPEC)
|1,363
|217
|-
|14
|{{rh}}|[[Kazakhstan]]
|1,114
|177
|-
|15
|{{rh}}|[[Canada]] <sup>2</sup>
|1,071
|170
|}
Source: [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/topworldtables1_2.htm US Energy Information Administration]
<small><sup>1</sup> [[Oil reserves#Countries that have already passed their production peak|peak production already passed in this state]]</small>
<small><sup>2</sup> Canadian statistics are complicated by the fact it is both an importer and exporter of crude oil, and refines large amounts of oil for the U.S. market. It is the leading source of U.S. imports of oil and products, averaging 2.5 MMbbl/d in August 2007.
[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_ep00_im0_mbblpd_m.htm].</small>
Total world production/consumption (as of 2005) is approximately {{convert|84|Moilbbl/d|m3/d}}.
See also: [[Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries]].
===Consumption===
In order of amount consumed in 2006 in thousand [[Barrel (unit)|bbl]]/[[Day|d]] and thousand [[Cubic metre|m³]]/d:
{| style="text-align: right;" border="1" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable"
!#
!Consuming Nation 2006
!(10<sup>3</sup>bbl/day)
!(10<sup>3</sup>m<sup>3</sup>/day)
|-
|1
|{{rh}}|[[United States]] <sup>1</sup>
|20,588
|3,273
|-
|2
|{{rh}}|[[China]]
|7,274
|1,157
|-
|3
|{{rh}}|[[Japan]] <sup>2</sup>
|5,222
|830
|-
|4
|{{rh}}|[[Russia]] <sup>1</sup>
|3,103
|493
|-
|5
|{{rh}}|[[Germany]] <sup>2</sup>
|2,630
|418
|-
|6
|{{rh}}|[[India]] <sup>2</sup>
|2,534
|403
|-
|7
|{{rh}}|[[Canada]]
|2,218
|353
|-
|8
|{{rh}}|[[Brazil]]
|2,183
|347
|-
|9
|{{rh}}|[[South Korea]] <sup>2</sup>
|2,157
|343
|-
|10
|{{rh}}|[[Saudi Arabia]] ([[OPEC]])
|2,068
|329
|-
|11
|{{rh}}|[[Mexico]] <sup>1</sup>
|2,030
|323
|-
|12
|{{rh}}|[[France]] <sup>2</sup>
|1,972
|314
|-
|13
|{{rh}}|[[United Kingdom]] <sup>1</sup>
|1,816
|289
|-
|14
|{{rh}}|[[Italy]] <sup>2</sup>
|1,709
|272
|-
|15
|{{rh}}|[[Iran]] ([[OPEC]])
|1,627
|259
|}
Source: [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/topworldtables1_2.htm US Energy Information Administration]
<small><sup>1</sup> [[Oil reserves#Countries that have already passed their production peak|peak production of oil already passed in this state]]</small>
<small><sup>2</sup> This country is not a major oil producer</small>
===Import===
[[Image:Oil imports.PNG|thumb|300px|Oil imports by country]]
In order of net imports in 2006 in thousand [[Barrel (unit)|bbl]]/[[Day|d]] and thousand [[Cubic metre|m³]]/d:
{| style="text-align: right;" border="1" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable"
!#
!Importing Nation (2006)
!(10<sup>3</sup>bbl/day)
!(10<sup>3</sup>m<sup>3</sup>/day)
|-
|1
|{{rh}}|United States <sup>1</sup>
|12,220
|1,943
|-
|2
|{{rh}}|Japan
|5,097
|810
|-
|3
|{{rh}}|China <sup>2</sup>
|3,438
|547
|-
|4
|{{rh}}|Germany
|2,483
|395
|-
|5
|{{rh}}|South Korea
|2,150
|342
|-
|6
|{{rh}}|France
|1,893
|301
|-
|7
|{{rh}}|India
|1,687
|268
|-
|8
|{{rh}}|Italy
|1,558
|248
|-
|9
|{{rh}}|Spain
|1,555
|247
|-
|10
|{{rh}}|Republic of China (Taiwan)
|942
|150
|-
|11
|{{rh}}|Netherlands
|936
|149
|-
|12
|{{rh}}|Singapore
|787
|125
|-
|13
|{{rh}}|Thailand
|606
|96
|-
|14
|{{rh}}|Turkey
|576
|92
|-
|15
|{{rh}}|Belgium
|546
|87
|}
Source: [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/topworldtables1_2.htm US Energy Information Administration]
<small><sup>1</sup> [[Oil reserves#Countries that have already passed their production peak|peak production of oil already passed in this state]]</small>
<small><sup>2</sup> Major oil producer whose production is still increasing</small>
===Non-producing consumers===
Countries whose oil production is 10% or less of their consumption.
{| style="text-align: right;" border="1" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable"
!#
!Consuming Nation
!(bbl/day)
!(m³/day)
|-
|1
|{{rh}}|Japan
|5,578,000
|886,831
|-
|2
|{{rh}}|Germany
|2,677,000
|425,609
|-
|3
|{{rh}}|South Korea
|2,061,000
|327,673
|-
|4
|{{rh}}|France
|2,060,000
|327,514
|-
|5
|{{rh}}|Italy
|1,874,000
|297,942
|-
|6
|{{rh}}|Spain
|1,537,000
|244,363
|-
|7
|{{rh}}|Netherlands
|946,700
|150,513
|}
Source : [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2175rank.html CIA World Factbook]
==Writers covering the petroleum industry==
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
*[[Brian Black]]
*[[Colin Campbell (geologist)|Colin J. Campbell]]
*[[Kenneth S. Deffeyes]]
*[[Thomas Gold]]
*[[David Goodstein]]
*[[Daniel Yergin]]
*[[Derrick Jensen]]
</div>
==See also==
{{EnergyPortal}}
{{Wikinewscat|Energy}}
* [[List of oil fields]]
* [[List of petroleum companies]]
* [[Oil reserves]]
* [[Petroleum geology]]
==References==
<!-- ----------------------------------------------------------
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for a discussion of different citation methods and how to generate
footnotes using the <ref>, </ref> and <reference /> tags
----------------------------------------------------------- -->
<!-- No longer referenced: # {{note|Kenney2002}} {{cite journal | author=Kenney, J., Kutcherov, V., Bendeliani, N. and Alekseev, V. | title= The evolution of multicomponent systems at high pressures: VI. The thermodynamic stability of the hydrogen–carbon system: The genesis of hydrocarbons and the origin of petroleum | journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. | volume=99 | year=2002 | pages=10976–10981 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.172376899 | pmid= 12177438 }}-->
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons|Petroleum}}
{{Wikinewspar|Economy_and_business#Commodities|Commodities}}
* {{dmoz|Science/Earth_Sciences/Geology/Petroleum|Petroleum}}
* [http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/info_glance/petroleum.html US Energy Information Administration]
* [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/contents.html US Department of Energy EIA - World supply and consumption]
* [http://www.api.org/ American Petroleum Institute] - the trade association of the US oil industry.
* [http://www.iea.org/Textbase/stats/surveys/oilsurv.pdf Oil survey - [[OECD]] [[International Energy Agency]] ]
[[Category:Lubricants]]
[[Category:Oils]]
[[Category:Petroleum]]
[[Category:Soil contamination]]
[[Category:Water pollution]]
[[Category:Chemical mixtures]]
[[Category:Energy sources]]
[[Category:Glassforming liquids and melts]]
{{Link FA|ar}}
[[af:Ru-olie]]
[[ar:نفط]]
[[an:Petrolio]]
[[bn:জ্বালানী]]
[[zh-min-nan:Chio̍h-iû]]
[[be:Нафта]]
[[be-x-old:Нафта]]
[[bs:Nafta]]
[[bg:Нефт]]
[[ca:Petroli]]
[[cs:Ropa]]
[[cy:Petroliwm]]
[[da:Råolie]]
[[de:Erdöl]]
[[et:Nafta]]
[[el:Πετρέλαιο]]
[[es:Petróleo]]
[[eo:Nafto]]
[[eu:Petrolio]]
[[fa:نفت]]
[[fr:Pétrole]]
[[gl:Petróleo]]
[[ko:석유]]
[[hr:Nafta]]
[[io:Petrolo]]
[[id:Minyak bumi]]
[[ia:Petroleo]]
[[is:Hráolía]]
[[it:Petrolio]]
[[he:נפט]]
[[ku:Neft]]
[[lv:Nafta]]
[[lt:Nafta]]
[[ln:Pitɔlɔ́]]
[[hu:Kőolaj]]
[[ms:Petroleum]]
[[mn:Газрын тос]]
[[nah:Chiapopohtli]]
[[nl:Aardolie]]
[[ja:石油]]
[[no:Petroleum]]
[[nn:Petroleum]]
[[oc:Petròli]]
[[pl:Ropa naftowa]]
[[pt:Petróleo]]
[[ro:Petrol]]
[[qu:Allpa wira]]
[[ru:Нефть]]
[[simple:Petroleum]]
[[sk:Ropa]]
[[sl:Nafta]]
[[sr:Нафта]]
[[sh:Nafta]]
[[su:Minyak bumi]]
[[fi:Maaöljy]]
[[sv:Petroleum]]
[[ta:பெட்ரோலியம்]]
[[th:ปิโตรเลียม]]
[[vi:Dầu mỏ]]
[[tr:Petrol]]
[[uk:Нафта]]
[[wa:Petrole]]
[[yi:נאפט]]
[[bat-smg:Napta]]
[[zh:石油]]