Petroleum

Consumption

By 2008U.S. = world's third-largest oil producer

8.5 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids per day

Petroleum is the largest source of energy in the U.S.

38% of the energy consumed gasolinediesel fuelheating oilpetroleum gas

24% natural gas

Top sources of net crude oil and petroleum product imports:

Canada (28%)

Saudi Arabia (13%)

Mexico (10%)

Venezuela (9%)

Russia (5%)

Petroleum Reserve

727-million-barrelsthe largest stockpile of government-owned emergency crude oil in the world.

aftermath of the 1973-74 oil embargoemergency oil stocksnational defense fuel reserve.

Gasoline

Gas prices have increased tremendouslycost of the crude oil 

Higher demand 2008 – prices dropped to below $2 due to demand

three main grades of gasoline: regular, midgrade, and premium.

Gasoline and the Environment

Burning gasoline produces carbon dioxideGasoline is a highly flammable and toxic liquid

Substances: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons

Burning a gallon of gasoline produces about 19.6 pounds of carbon dioxide.

In 2012, 21% of total U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

Clean Air Act

the major law aimed at reducing air pollutionaimed to reduce pollution from gasoline use by requiring less polluting engines and fuels and reduce leaks from storage and fueling equipment.

emissions control devices and cleaner burning engines removal of leaded gasolinereformulated gasolinelow sulfur gasoline reduced risk of gasoline leaks

Oil Drilling

Oil Spillother chemicals and toxic substances come up too Offshore drilling

Seismic wavesinfrastructure required = drill wells and transportation

BP Spill2010 = the biggest oil spill in U.S. history. 16,000 total miles of coastline affectedexplosion killed 11 people and injured 17 others. Over 8,000 animals (birds, turtles, mammals) were reported dead As of 2012, the Gulf was still polluted with oil.

Natural Gas

Methane = a gas composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms

Hydraulic Fracturing

Also known as “Fracking”extracts oil by blasting water mixed with sand and chemicals underground to break apart shale rock. gas flows up through the well to the surface of the ground and into large pipelines.

methane, butane, and propane

Most of the natural gas consumed in the United States is produced in the United States. Because natural gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, mercaptan (a chemical that smells like sulfur – rotten eggs) is added before distribution, in cases where leaks occur.

How much gas do we have

Natural gas cumsption

About 25% of energy used in the United States came from natural gas in 2012.Natural gas is used to produce:

steelglasspaper clothingbrickelectricityessential raw material

more than half of the homes in the United States use natural gas as their main heating fuel.Natural gas is also used in homes to fuel stoves, water heaters, clothes dryers, and other household appliances.

Dangers of Fracking

Natural gas is made up mostly of methaneSome natural gas leaks into the atmosphere from oil and gas wells, storage tanks, pipelines, and processing plants. These leaks were the source of about 25% of total U.S. methane emissionsThe oil and natural gas industry tries to prevent gas leaksWell drilling activities produce air pollution and may disturb wildlife. Natural gas production can also result in the production of large volumes of contaminated water.While the natural gas may a very toxic gas. Natural gas wells and pipelines often have engines to run equipment and compressors, which produce additional air pollutants and noise.

GASLANDGasland - documentary