Module 9.2

oil

A liquid fossil fuel formed from marine organisms that is burned to obtain energy and used in the manufacture of plastics.

natural gas

A fossil fuel in the gaseous state

nonrenewable resource

a resource that cannot be replaced

crude oil

oil found as tiny droplets wedged within the microscopic open spaces, or pores, inside rocks

proven reserves

those that hold oil or natural gas that is economically feasible to extract using current technology

conventional reserves

reserves that hold oil or natural gas that can be extracted with traditional oil or gas wells.

unconventional reserves

deposits of oil or natural gas that cannot be recovered with traditional oil/gas wells but may be recoverable using alternative techniques

tight oil

shale oil that's trapped inside impermeable rock deposits

petrochemicals

Compounds that are made from oil

carbon foot print

A total amount of gases that one person or group puts into the atmosphere

fracking

The pumping of water at high pressure to break apart rocks in order to release natural gas

tar sands/ oil sands

a heavy black oil that is often trapped in sticky, dense conglomerations of sand or clay

Energy Independence

meeting all of one's energy needs without importing any energy

energy security

having access to affordable energy