ENVS 1000 - Fossil Fuels Summary

Overview of Fossil Fuels

• Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas; derived from decomposed organic matter.

• Oil is a liquid fuel made of hydrocarbons; natural gas primarily consists of methane (CH₄).

Formation of Fossil Fuels

• Conditions for formation: organic material breakdown in anaerobic environments (swamps, deep lakes, shallow seas).

• Fossil fuels are produced under heat and pressure over geological time: kerogen transforms into crude oil, natural gas, or coal.

Major Types of Fossil Fuels

• Coal: Solid fossil fuel from terrestrial organic material.

• Oil: Extracted and refined into various petroleum products, beginning widespread use in the 1850s.

• Natural Gas: Fastest growing fossil fuel, types include:

  • Natural Gas (methane)

  • Biogenic Gas (from anaerobic decomposition)

  • Thermogenic Gas (from pressure and heat)

  • Kerogen (source material for oil and gas).

Extraction and Processing

• Oil Extraction:

  • Phases: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

  • Crude oil is retrieved via drilling, followed by refining to remove impurities.

• Natural Gas Extraction:

  • Requires advanced techniques such as fracking due to depleted easily accessible reserves.

  • Offshore drilling contributes significantly to supply.

Non-Conventional Fossil Fuels

• Includes oil shale, methane hydrate, oil sands, and shale gas.

• Extraction methods are often expensive with low energy returned on energy invested (EROEI).

Environmental Impacts

• Fossil fuel extraction and use harm the environment through landscape degradation and pollution.

• Combustion of fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Future Considerations

• Peak oil anticipated as production declines.

• Transitioning to conservation and renewable energy sources is crucial for sustainable future.