6.4 Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

Fossil Fuel Energy Reserves

1. **Natural Gas Reserves:

   • United States : ~100-150 years

   • Russia : ~50-60 years

   • China : ~50 years

   • Australia : Noted as a significant producer

2. Crude Oil Reserves:

   • Major producing countries:

   1. Russia

   2. Iran

   3. Qatar

   4. United States

   5. Saudi Arabia

3. Coal Reserves:

   • Key producers include:

   1. Venezuela

   2. Saudi Arabia

   3. Iran

   4. Canada

   5. Iraq

Fracking and Shale Gas

• Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking):

  • A method of natural gas extraction that extends access to natural gas reserves.

  • Process:

    • Gas trapped in semi-permeable sedimentary rock layers (e.g. shale) is released by cracking the rock with pressurized water.

  • Result: Increases and extends the supply of natural gas, making it more available for use.

Shale Gas Reserves

• Fossil Fuels (FFs) are non-renewable and will eventually be depleted, but short-term economic profit drives their extraction.

• Discovered but unharvested reserves are seen as a potential economic asset for countries needing energy resources.

Tar/Oil Sands

• Definition:

  • Tar or oil sands consist of bitumen deposits from which crude oil can be recovered. However, this process requires high water and energy inputs.

• Major Deposit:

  • Canada (specifically, the Alberta region) holds the world’s largest oil sands reserve.

• Similar to fracking, the extraction of tar/oil sands helps to extend the world's supply of crude oil.

Crude Oil (Petroleum) Extraction

• Extraction Process:

  • Crude oil is obtained by drilling a well through overlying rock layers until the underground deposit is reached, followed by pumping the liquid oil out under pressure.

  • Alternative Extraction: Crude oil can also be recovered from tar sands, which are a mixture of clay, sand, water, and bitumen.

• Formation of Oil:

  • Decaying organic matter trapped under rock layers is compressed over time into oil.

• Bitumen Characteristics:

  • A thick, sticky, semi-solid form of petroleum that is more challenging to extract compared to conventional oil.

• Challenges in Extraction:

  • Extracting and utilizing oil from tar sands is highly energy and water-intensive:

    • Large quantities of water are heated to create steam that melts bitumen into a liquid.

    • Additional water is necessary to separate the oil from impurities (sand, clay) at refineries.

Fossil Fuel Products

• Crude oil can be processed into various products through fractional distillation:

  • Process Overview:

  • Crude oil is burned in a furnace, and vapor passes into a column where different hydrocarbons are separated based on their boiling points.

  • Hydocarbons with lower boiling points collect at the top of the column, while those with higher boiling points settle at the bottom.

  • Products Derived from Petroleum:

  • Petroleum gas

  • Gasoline (car fuel)

  • Naphtha (used in plastics)

  • Jet fuel

  • Diesel fuel

  • Motor oil

  • Bitumen (used for roads, asphalt)

6.5 Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuel Combustion

• Key Concept: Combustion's Role in the Carbon Cycle

  • Hydrocarbons (Fossil Fuels) are burned, releasing energy as they react with oxygen (O2) to produce CO2 and water (H2O).

• Fuels: Includes methane (natural gas), gasoline, propane, butane, and coal.

• Process:

  • The reaction between Oxygen (O2) and fossil fuels yields energy as heat, with carbon forming carbon dioxide and hydrogen forming water as products.

Fossil Fuels to Generate Electricity

• Electricity Generation Process:

  • Common steps include:

  1. Heat generation → 2. Conversion of water into steam → 3. Steam driving a turbine → 4. Turbine powering a generator → 5. Electricity output.

• Fuels Used: Coal, oil, natural gas, biomass, and trash can all be burned to drive this process and generate energy.

• Other Methods: Nuclear energy follows a similar principle, with nuclear fission generating initial heat.

• Global Electricity Source Ranking: Coal ranks as the number one source of electricity production globally, followed by natural gas.

Environmental Consequences of Coal

• Impacts of Coal Utilization:

  • Habitat Destruction: Required land clearance for mining operations leads to ecosystem loss.

  • Pollution: Burning coal emits pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG) leading to climate change.

  • CO2 Emissions: Coal releases more CO2 than any other fossil fuel used for electricity generation.

  • Particulate Matter (PM) Release: Soot and ash irritate respiratory systems in humans and animals.

  • Toxic Ash Production: Ash from combustion may contain lead, mercury, and arsenic, necessitating careful storage to prevent environmental contamination.

  • Gas Emissions: Releases sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) contributing to smog and acid rain.

Generating Electricity and Efficiency

• Energy Losses: Much of the energy produced during electricity generation is lost as heat.

• Cogeneration: This process utilizes heat produced during electricity generation to provide heating to buildings (e.g., Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems) and can reach efficiencies of nearly 90%.

• Coal Efficiency Rating: ~30% effective in converting energy from hydrocarbons to electricity.

• Natural Gas Efficiency Rating: Approximately 60% when used for electricity generation.

Oil/Petroleum Extraction Details

• Extraction Methodology:

  • Involves drilling through rock layers to reach and pump liquid oil out from underground reservoirs.

  • Extracted from tar sands, integrating clay, sand, water, and bitumen.

• Bitumen Characteristics: Description as a thick, sticky substance complicates extraction.

• Extraction Challenges:

  • Highly energy and water-intensive process involving heating water to generate steam for bitumen extraction and significant water usage for purifying oil at refineries.

Environmental Consequences of Tar Sands

• Impacts from Tar Sands Extraction:

  • Habitat Destruction: Land clearances for infrastructure lead to loss of biodiversity.

  • Water Depletion: Excessive water usage for steam generation and impurities washing leads to resource depletion.

  • Water Contamination Risks: Tailing ponds may overflow or leach toxic materials (e.g., benzene, salts) into nearby ecosystems.

  • Carbon Emissions: CO2 emissions from machinery increases climate change impacts during extraction, transport, and refinement.

Environmental Consequences of Crude Oil/Petroleum

• Spill Risks: Potential for spills from ships or pipeline failures has severe ecological consequences.

• Habitat Impacts: Land alterations for infrastructure can disrupt animal migrations and plant growth.

• Environmental Damage from Spills:

  • Water Spills: Crude oil can cover water surfaces, suffocate aquatic animals, and damage ecosystems.

  • Land Spills: Result in toxic contamination affecting plant life and drinking water supplies.

Details on Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)

• Method Overview:

  • A vertical well is drilled to the sedimentary rock layer, transitioning horizontally to access gas.

  • A perforating gun is used to fracture the rock, enhancing its permeability.

  • Hydraulic Fracking Fluid: A mixture of water, salt, detergents, and acids is injected at high pressure to enhance gas flow.

  • Gas Collection: Natural gas is gathered at the surface and prepared for distribution.

  • Flowback Water: Used fracking fluid returns to the surface, where it is collected for management.

Environmental Consequences of Fracking

• Contamination Risks: Leaks from wells can lead to groundwater contamination from fracking fluid and hydrocarbons.

• Water Resource Depletion: Significant water extraction for fracking fluid impacts local water supplies.

• Overflow and Leach Risks: Ponds used for fracking fluid might overflow, leading to broader environmental contamination.

• Seismic Activity Increase: Injection wells for wastewater storage raise the risk of induced seismic events (earthquakes).

• Habitat Loss and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Fracking contributes to habitat degradation and methane emissions.

6.4 Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

Fossil Fuel Energy Reserves

1. Natural Gas: US ($100-150$ yrs), Russia ($50-60$ yrs), China ($50$ yrs).

2. Major Producers:

   • Crude Oil: Russia, Iran, Qatar, US, Saudi Arabia.

   • Coal: Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada, Iraq.

Extraction & Refinement

• Fracking: Pressurized fluid cracks shale rock to release gas; increases supply but risks groundwater and seismic stability.

• Tar Sands: Extraction of bitumen (thick oil) via energy-intensive steam heating; Canada holds the largest reserves.

• Crude Oil: Liquid deposits extracted by drilling; processed via fractional distillation to separate hydrocarbons by boiling points (e.g., gasoline, jet fuel, plastics).

6.5 Fossil Fuels

Combustion and Electricity

• Reaction: $Hydrocarbons + O<em>2 \rightarrow Energy + CO</em>2 + H_2O$.

• Process: Heat $\rightarrow$ steam $\rightarrow$ turbine $\rightarrow$ generator $\rightarrow$ electricity.

• Efficiency: Coal ($\approx 30\%$) vs. Natural Gas ($\approx 60\%$). Cogeneration (reusing waste heat) can reach $90\%$.

Environmental Impacts

• Coal: Habitat loss, highest $CO<em>2$ output, toxic ash (mercury/lead), and pollutants ($SO</em>x, NO_x, PM$).

• Tar Sands: Biodiversity loss, water depletion, and toxic tailing pond leakage.

• Crude Oil: Ecological damage from spills which suffocate marine life and contaminate soil.

• Fracking: Groundwater contamination, induced earthquakes, and methane ($CH_4$) leaks.

6.4 Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

• Fossil Fuel Energy Reserves

  • Natural Gas: US ($100-150$ years), Russia ($50-60$ years), China ($50$ years).

  • Crude Oil (Major Producers): Russia, Iran, Qatar, US, Saudi Arabia.

  • Coal (Major Producers): Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada, Iraq.

• Extraction & Refinement

  • Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking): High-pressure fluid cracks sedimentary rock (shale) to release gas, increasing supply but risking groundwater and seismic stability.

  • Tar/Oil Sands: Extraction of bitumen (thick, sticky petroleum) via energy and water-intensive steam heating; Canada (Alberta) holds the largest reserves.

  • Crude Oil Extraction: Drilling/pumping liquid deposits; refined via fractional distillation where hydrocarbons separate by boiling points (e.g., gasoline, jet fuel, plastics).

6.5 Fossil Fuels

• Combustion and Electricity

  • Chemical Reaction: $Hydrocarbons + O<em>2 \rightarrow Energy + CO</em>2 + H_2O$.

  • Generation Process: Heat $\rightarrow$ Water to Steam $\rightarrow$ Turbine $\rightarrow$ Generator $\rightarrow$ Electricity.

  • Efficiency:

  • Coal: $\approx 30\%$

  • Natural Gas: $\approx 60\%$

  • Cogeneration: Reusing waste heat for building heating; can reach $90\%$ efficiency.

• Environmental Consequences

  • Coal: Habitat destruction, highest $CO<em>2$ emissions, toxic ash (mercury, lead, arsenic), and air pollutants ($SO</em>x, NO_x, PM$).

  • Tar Sands: Biodiversity loss, massive water depletion, and risk of toxic tailing pond leakage.

  • Crude Oil: Ecological damage from pipeline/ship spills; suffocates aquatic life and contaminates soil.

  • Fracking: Groundwater contamination, local water resource depletion, and induced seismic activity (earthquakes).

6.4 Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

• Fossil Fuel Energy Reserves

  • Natural Gas: US ($100-150$ years), Russia ($50-60$ years), China ($50$ years).

  • Crude Oil Producers: Russia, Iran, Qatar, US, Saudi Arabia.

  • Coal Producers: Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada, Iraq.

• Extraction & Refinement

  • Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing): Pressurized fluid cracks shale rock to release gas; risks groundwater contamination and seismic activity.

  • Tar/Oil Sands: Bitumen extraction via intensive steam heating; Canada (Alberta) has the largest reserves.

  • Refining: Crude oil utilizes fractional distillation to separate hydrocarbons based on boiling points (e.g., gasoline, jet fuel, plastics).

6.5 Fossil Fuels

• Combustion and Electricity

  • Reaction: $Hydrocarbons + O<em>2 \rightarrow Energy + CO</em>2 + H_2O$.

  • Process: Heat $\rightarrow$ Water to Steam $\rightarrow$ Turbine $\rightarrow$ Generator $\rightarrow$ Electricity.

  • Efficiency:

  • Coal: $\approx 30\%$

  • Natural Gas: $\approx 60\%$

  • Cogeneration: Reusing waste heat for buildings; can reach $90\%$ efficiency.

• Environmental Consequences

  • Coal: Habitat loss, highest $CO<em>2$ output, toxic ash (mercury, lead), and pollutants ($SO</em>x, NO_x, PM$).

  • Tar Sands: Biodiversity loss, massive water depletion, and toxic tailing pond leakage.

  • Crude Oil: Ecological damage from spills; suffocates aquatic life and contaminates soil.

  • Fracking: Groundwater contamination, water resource depletion, and induced earthquakes.

6.4 Distribution of Natural Energy Resources

• Fossil Fuel Energy Reserves

  • Natural Gas: US ($100-150$ years), Russia ($50-60$ years), China ($50$ years).

  • Crude Oil (Major Producers): Russia, Iran, Qatar, US, Saudi Arabia.

  • Coal (Major Producers): Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada, Iraq.

• Extraction and Refinement

  • Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing): Pressurized fluid cracks shale rock to release gas; increases supply but risks groundwater contamination and seismic activity.

  • Tar/Oil Sands: Bitumen extraction via energy-intensive steam heating; Canada (Alberta) holds largest reserves.

  • Refining: Crude oil utilizes fractional distillation to separate hydrocarbons by boiling points (e.g., gasoline, jet fuel, plastics).

6.5 Fossil Fuels

• Combustion and Electricity

  • Chemical Reaction: $Hydrocarbons + O<em>{2} \rightarrow Energy + CO</em>{2} + H_{2}O$.

  • Generation Process: Heat source $\rightarrow$ Water to Steam $\rightarrow$ Turbine $\rightarrow$ Generator $\rightarrow$ Electricity.

  • Efficiency:

  • Coal: $\approx 30\%$

  • Natural Gas: $\approx 60\%$

  • Cogeneration: Reusing waste heat for buildings allows efficiency up to $\approx 90\%$.

• Environmental Consequences

  • Coal: Habitat loss, highest $CO<em>{2}$ emissions, toxic ash (mercury, lead), and pollutants ($SO</em>{x}, NO_{x}, PM$).

  • Tar Sands: Biodiversity loss, massive water depletion, and risk of toxic tailing pond leakage.

  • Crude Oil: Ecological damage from spills; suffocates aquatic life and contaminates soil.

  • Fracking: Groundwater contamination, water resource depletion, and induced earthquakes.