Buzz
How much should one understand about underground oil reserves?
davidwilson1949/Creative CommonsMain Points to Remember
- Over the past 60 years, oil drilling depths have grown, from an average of 3,635 feet (1,108 meters) in 1949 to 5,964 feet (1,818 meters) in 2008. This increase reflects the decreasing availability of easily accessible oil reserves.
- The growing depth of oil extraction is a result of the limited nature of oil, requiring deeper and more costly methods that bring about greater environmental risks and worker safety concerns.
- Examples like the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 demonstrate the serious risks and long-lasting environmental damage that can arise from oil extraction in difficult and remote locations.
The United States consumes 19.1 million barrels of oil daily, with nearly half of it used as gasoline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The U.S., being the world's largest oil consumer due to its car-dependent culture, has seen its oil consumption decrease since peaking in 2005 due to the economic downturn. By 2035, daily oil consumption in the U.S. is projected to reach 21.9 million barrels.
How deep must we drill to reach this precious black gold? Over the past sixty years, the depths have only increased. In 1949, the first year with available data, the average depth of drilled oil wells was 3,635 feet. By 2008, the latest data available, this had risen to 5,964 feet, a slight decrease from 2007's 6,064 feet.
U.S. Energy Information AdministrationWhat are the consequences of drilling at such depths? Given that oil takes millions of years to form, it is, for all practical purposes, a finite resource. We are drilling deeper because we are literally running out of oil. But this depth comes with its own set of challenges. Deep offshore drilling demands more financial and energy resources, not to mention increased risks to both the environment and the safety of workers. Let’s dive into some of these issues:
Drilling on land is challenging enough. But how do you drill in the pitch-black depths of the ocean and transport liquid, gas, and solid petroleum to the surface? How can you prevent ocean pollution? And how do you manage all of this with massive, specialized equipment in the middle of stormy seas?
The process is far from flawless, as seen with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which devastated both local communities and wildlife. Even now, scientists claim that oil continues to poison wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico, presenting ongoing public health risks.
