Petroleum, commonly known as oil, is primarily produced by extracting it from beneath the Earth's surface or the seabed through a process called drilling.
To produce petroleum, we tap into underground reservoirs where crude oil has accumulated over millions of years. This extraction process requires specialized equipment depending on the location of the reservoir.
The Process of Petroleum Extraction
The method used to bring petroleum to the surface involves drilling wells into the Earth. The primary technique is drilling into geological formations where oil is trapped.
- On Land: When oil reserves are located beneath land, extraction is done using an apparatus called an oil rig or drilling rig. These structures support the heavy machinery needed to bore into the ground.
- Offshore: For reserves found under the ocean floor, oil is drilled from an oil platform. These are complex structures built in the water, capable of supporting drilling operations far from the coast.
Modern Drilling Techniques
Modern petroleum extraction relies on advanced technology to efficiently access the oil.
- Air Rotary Drilling: Most modern wells use an air rotary drilling rig. This technology is highly efficient and capable of operating continuously.
- Continuous Operation: Air rotary drilling rigs can operate 24 hours a day, allowing for rapid progress in reaching the oil reservoir.
- Powered by Engines: In this process, engines power a drill bit that rotates and cuts through rock and soil layers to create the wellbore.
Once the well reaches the oil reservoir, pressure can sometimes push the oil to the surface. In other cases, pumps or other artificial lift methods are used to bring the oil to the surface. After extraction, the crude oil is transported to refineries for processing into various products like gasoline, diesel fuel, and plastics.
