Fossil FuelFossil Fuel

Kelly Shields, Leslie Zolnik, Matt Kelly Shields, Leslie Zolnik, Matt Weinrieb, Katharine A. Connelly, Ian Weinrieb, Katharine A. Connelly, Ian Irwin Irwin

Natural GasNatural Gas

What is natural gas? What is natural gas? It's a mixture of hydrocarbons. As with oil, It's a mixture of hydrocarbons. As with oil, natural gas is formed from decayed natural gas is formed from decayed organic material. organic material.

Two different kinds of gas: Two different kinds of gas: Nonassociated gas- gas that is found Nonassociated gas- gas that is found alone in the reservoir. alone in the reservoir. Associated gas- gas found in the same Associated gas- gas found in the same reservoir as oil. reservoir as oil.

History of Natural Gases History of Natural Gases

The first well dug in 1821 near Lake Erie The first well dug in 1821 near Lake Erie In 1891 a 120 mile gas line is built from central Indiana to In 1891 a 120 mile gas line is built from central Indiana to

Chicago. Chicago. In 1920's gas in first used for heating fuel for manufactured In 1920's gas in first used for heating fuel for manufactured

gas. gas. From end of WWII to 1960's, natural gas was used as From end of WWII to 1960's, natural gas was used as

secondary source of energy secondary source of energy By 1960's gas introduced to the market. Instead coal fires By 1960's gas introduced to the market. Instead coal fires

and stoves, make way for electric heating and gas-fired and stoves, make way for electric heating and gas-fired boilers. Primary fuel for lighting, cooking, and heating. boilers. Primary fuel for lighting, cooking, and heating.

In 1970's Oil crisis leads to an increase demand for natural In 1970's Oil crisis leads to an increase demand for natural gas. gas.

Today, natural gas still has a large market and continuous to Today, natural gas still has a large market and continuous to be a vital source of energy. be a vital source of energy.

Benefits vs. CostsBenefits vs. Costs

Benefits of Natural Gas: inexpensive, clean Benefits of Natural Gas: inexpensive, clean burning, available, good substitute for oil burning, available, good substitute for oil (reduces dependence for oil), easy to distribute (reduces dependence for oil), easy to distribute and store, cleanest fossil fuel to use, 80% and store, cleanest fossil fuel to use, 80% efficient. efficient.

Disadvantages of using gas: Disadvantages of using gas: Environmental problems due to the release of Environmental problems due to the release of

CO2 (Greenhouse effect) CO2 (Greenhouse effect) Difficult to obtain Difficult to obtain Health risk Health risk Unhealthy burning process Unhealthy burning process

The supply and demand The supply and demand of natural. of natural.

Since 50% of gas is used for space heating, Since 50% of gas is used for space heating, the demand for gas follows the seasons. the demand for gas follows the seasons. For example, in the winter, sharp decrease For example, in the winter, sharp decrease in temperature causes an increase in gas in temperature causes an increase in gas demand. For the supply side, it's pretty demand. For the supply side, it's pretty easy to figure out how much to supply for easy to figure out how much to supply for the demand. It is pretty much setup to the demand. It is pretty much setup to adjust to the demand. Seasonal records adjust to the demand. Seasonal records help determine how much gas to supply.help determine how much gas to supply.

•How important is natural gas? Natural gases account for more than 50% of the direct fossil-fuel inputs to the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Natural gases have many important uses like space heating, water heating, as fuel for boilers, transportation, and as chemical feedstock.

How Much Natural Gas is there?How Much Natural Gas is there? There is an abundance of natural gas in North America, but it is a non-renewable There is an abundance of natural gas in North America, but it is a non-renewable

resource, the formation of which takes thousands and possibly millions of yearsresource, the formation of which takes thousands and possibly millions of years Natural Gas Technically Recoverable Resources

Natural Gas Resource Category (Trillion Cubic Feet) As of January 1, 2000 Nonassociated Gas

Undiscovered 247.71

Onshore 121.61

Offshore 126.1

Deep 81.56

Shallow 44.52

Inferred Reserves 232.7

Onshore 183.03

Offshore 47.68

Deep 7.72

Shallow 39.96

Unconventional Gas Recovery369.59

Tight Gas 253.83

Shale Gas 55.42

Coalbed Methane 60.35 Associated-Dissolved Gas 140.89 Total Lower 48 Unproved 990.89 Alaska 32.32 Total U.S. Unproved 1023.21 Proved Reserves 167.41 Total Natural Gas 1190.62

How is gas obtained? How is gas obtained?

Most natural gas is trapped within Most natural gas is trapped within coal beds inside the reservoir. coal beds inside the reservoir. The problem with gathering The problem with gathering natural gas is that there is no natural gas is that there is no direct channel for the gas to flow. direct channel for the gas to flow. The natural gas is usually located The natural gas is usually located low-permeable area. So when low-permeable area. So when obtaining it can be done by using obtaining it can be done by using explosives or water injections. A explosives or water injections. A large force is needed to stimulate large force is needed to stimulate

gas flow.gas flow.

COAL COAL

America’s most abundant fuelAmerica’s most abundant fuel U.S. has ¼ of total coal reserves: 80% of U.S. has ¼ of total coal reserves: 80% of

the recoverable US fossil fuel reserves is the recoverable US fossil fuel reserves is CoalCoal

23% of our energy needs is supplied by 23% of our energy needs is supplied by CoalCoal

90% of the coal produced today is 90% of the coal produced today is burned for utilitiesburned for utilities

How Coal is formedHow Coal is formed

-Accumulated plant material -Accumulated plant material -Vegetation decomposed into peat-Vegetation decomposed into peat -Peat was covered by mud and sand-Peat was covered by mud and sand -Peat was compacted by pressure- -Peat was compacted by pressure-

gradual change to coalgradual change to coal -20 ft of plant material = 1 ft of coal-20 ft of plant material = 1 ft of coal

Types of CoalTypes of Coal

-Based on the amount of carbon -Based on the amount of carbon the coal containsthe coal contains

-Heat, pressure and time -Heat, pressure and time --Lignite-Lignite- youngest type. High youngest type. High

water content, low heating valueswater content, low heating values -Subbituminous--Subbituminous- low sulfur low sulfur

content, low mining costcontent, low mining cost -Bituminous-Bituminous- most plentiful, high - most plentiful, high

sulfur contentsulfur content -Anthracite--Anthracite- high heating value, high heating value,

limited supplieslimited supplies

Coal Consumption PatternsCoal Consumption Patterns

-Constant use for 30 years after WW II- approx. -Constant use for 30 years after WW II- approx. 600 million tons/yr in US600 million tons/yr in US

-Percent contribution to total energy -Percent contribution to total energy consumption declined from 40% to 18%consumption declined from 40% to 18%

WHY??WHY?? -Market changes- Railroads were beginning to -Market changes- Railroads were beginning to

use diesel and electric. use diesel and electric. Industrial and residential use decreased.Industrial and residential use decreased. Coal use increased only in utilities.Coal use increased only in utilities.

ProductionProduction

-Coal production shifted to the Western -Coal production shifted to the Western United States, from underground to United States, from underground to surface mines.surface mines.

-Clean Air Acts place limits on sulfur -Clean Air Acts place limits on sulfur emissions.emissions.

Strip MiningStrip Mining

-Earth and rock above -Earth and rock above coal seam (the coal seam (the overburden) is removedoverburden) is removed

-The exposed coal is -The exposed coal is broken up, hauled awaybroken up, hauled away

-(Ideally) the overburden -(Ideally) the overburden is replacedis replaced

Problems associated with Strip Problems associated with Strip miningmining

-Land is left useless-Land is left useless -Erosion-Erosion -Upsets water supply and drainage -Upsets water supply and drainage

systemssystems -Acid Mine Drainage- S + O2 + Water -Acid Mine Drainage- S + O2 + Water

Vapor = H2SO4 Vapor = H2SO4 -Surface Mining Control and -Surface Mining Control and

Reclamation Act of 1977Reclamation Act of 1977

Constraints Constraints

Environmental Problems need to be Environmental Problems need to be resolvedresolved

-Social Issues- “Boom towns”-Social Issues- “Boom towns” -Underground mining- most dangerous -Underground mining- most dangerous

occupationoccupation -Difficulty in transport-Difficulty in transport -Carbon Dioxide emissions-Carbon Dioxide emissions

The Future of CoalThe Future of Coal

Where?Where? How Much? (Billion How Much? (Billion Short Tons)Short Tons)

United StatesUnited States 275275

RussiaRussia 173173

ChinaChina 126126

AustraliaAustralia 100100

IndiaIndia 8282

GermanyGermany 7474

South AfricaSouth Africa 6161

Other CountriesOther Countries 197197

Three primary phases of Three primary phases of oil reservoir productionoil reservoir production PrimaryPrimary

SecondarySecondary

Tertiary or Enhanced Oil Tertiary or Enhanced Oil RecoveryRecovery

PrimaryPrimary

When natural pressure of the reservoir or When natural pressure of the reservoir or gravity drives the oil into the wellbore and gravity drives the oil into the wellbore and artificial lift techniques such as pumping artificial lift techniques such as pumping produce the oil to the surface. However, this produce the oil to the surface. However, this only produces roughly 10% of the only produces roughly 10% of the reservoir’s original oil.reservoir’s original oil.

SecondarySecondary

After WWII, producers employed such After WWII, producers employed such techniques to increase the recovery of oil to techniques to increase the recovery of oil to more than 20%. Such techniques include more than 20%. Such techniques include water injection to displace the oil and drive it water injection to displace the oil and drive it to the wellbore, or re-injection of natural gas to the wellbore, or re-injection of natural gas to maintain reservoir pressure.to maintain reservoir pressure.

Tertiary, or Tertiary, or Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOC)Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOC)

Includes:Includes:

1.1. Thermal recoveryThermal recovery, which involves injection of steam to thin , which involves injection of steam to thin

heavy oilheavy oil

2.2. Chemical injectionChemical injection, which involves the use of long-chained molecules , which involves the use of long-chained molecules (polymers) to increase the effectiveness of waterfloods or detergent-(polymers) to increase the effectiveness of waterfloods or detergent-like surfactants to help lower the surface tension that often prevents oil like surfactants to help lower the surface tension that often prevents oil droplets from moving through a reservoir droplets from moving through a reservoir

3.3. Gas injectionGas injection, which uses gases such as natural gas, nitrogen, or , which uses gases such as natural gas, nitrogen, or combustion flume gases that expand in a reservoir to push additional combustion flume gases that expand in a reservoir to push additional oil to the wellbore, or other gases that dissolve in the oil to lower its oil to the wellbore, or other gases that dissolve in the oil to lower its viscosity and increases its flow rateviscosity and increases its flow rate

10 major Oil Producing 10 major Oil Producing CountriesCountries

Saudi Arabia – 446*Saudi Arabia – 446* USA – 355 *USA – 355 * Russian Federation – 303 *Russian Federation – 303 * Iran – 176 *Iran – 176 * Mexico – 163 *Mexico – 163 * Venezuela – 162 *Venezuela – 162 * China – 161 *China – 161 * Norway – 149 *Norway – 149 * Great Britain – 139 *Great Britain – 139 * Iraq – 125 *Iraq – 125 *

(*million (*million tonnes)tonnes)

Crude Oil Production Crude Oil Production (1954-2000)(1954-2000)

Oil Well Productivity Oil Well Productivity (1954-2000)(1954-2000)

Future supply of OilFuture supply of Oil

CountryCountry Reserves (Billions Reserves (Billions of Barrels)of Barrels)

Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia 262262

IraqIraq 112112

United Arab United Arab EmiratesEmirates 9898

KuwaitKuwait 9696

IranIran 9393

VenezuelaVenezuela7272

RussiaRussia 4949

MexicoMexico 4040

LibyaLibya 3030

ChinaChina 2424

CountryCountry Reserves (Billions Reserves (Billions of Barrels)of Barrels)

United States United States 2121

NigeriaNigeria 1717

NorwayNorway 1010

AlgeriaAlgeria 99

United KingdomUnited Kingdom 55

IndonesiaIndonesia55

CanadaCanada 55

IndiaIndia 44

EgyptEgypt 44

QatarQatar 44

Effects of OilEffects of Oil

Releases COReleases CO22, sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, , sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides,

and heavy metalsand heavy metals COCO22 leads to the “greenhouse effect” leads to the “greenhouse effect”

Emissions have increased roughly 2% in past Emissions have increased roughly 2% in past several decadesseveral decades Contains harmful substances like toluene, benzene, ethylic Contains harmful substances like toluene, benzene, ethylic

benzene, and polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates, some of which benzene, and polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates, some of which cause cancer.cause cancer.

There are also constructive problems, such as electrical cables, There are also constructive problems, such as electrical cables, pipelines through natural areas, roads, and other infrastructurespipelines through natural areas, roads, and other infrastructures

Oil pollution around rigs and from spills, etc are harmful to the Oil pollution around rigs and from spills, etc are harmful to the surrounding environment, for both human and animal habitats. surrounding environment, for both human and animal habitats.

Oil transportation poses threats and environmental risks as well.Oil transportation poses threats and environmental risks as well. Example: Exxon Valdez (photos next slide)Example: Exxon Valdez (photos next slide)

Solutions to OilSolutions to Oil

Reduction of consumption of oil and Reduction of consumption of oil and other non-renewable energy sourcesother non-renewable energy sources

Energy-saving measures and developing Energy-saving measures and developing alternative sources of energy, such as alternative sources of energy, such as wind, hydro, and solarwind, hydro, and solar

Responsibility lies within the individual, Responsibility lies within the individual, states, multilateral organizations, and states, multilateral organizations, and corporationscorporations

Environmental impacts of Environmental impacts of fossil fuel powerfossil fuel power

CoalCoal Coal produces 15 times more pollutants than nuclear energy and 100 times more than Coal produces 15 times more pollutants than nuclear energy and 100 times more than

hydropower.hydropower. Major emissions from burning coalMajor emissions from burning coal Sulfur dioxide (SO2)- major cause of acid rain.Sulfur dioxide (SO2)- major cause of acid rain. Nitrous Oxide (NO) – green house gasNitrous Oxide (NO) – green house gas Carbon Dioxide (CO2)- green house gasCarbon Dioxide (CO2)- green house gas Coal is usually processed into two different types.Coal is usually processed into two different types. 1% sulfur content1% sulfur content 10% sulfur content10% sulfur content Though the initial costs of processing 1% sulfur coal is slightly higher, the over all cost Though the initial costs of processing 1% sulfur coal is slightly higher, the over all cost

including environmental degradation is less than have that of 10%.including environmental degradation is less than have that of 10%. New coal power generation technologies New coal power generation technologies Low emissions boiler (traditional boiler with scrubbers and other emissions filters.)Low emissions boiler (traditional boiler with scrubbers and other emissions filters.) Atmospheric Fluidized-Bed CombustionAtmospheric Fluidized-Bed Combustion Keeps the reaction below the temperature that NO and SO2 will be emitted and collects it in Keeps the reaction below the temperature that NO and SO2 will be emitted and collects it in

the water.the water. Pressurized Atmospheric Fluidized-Bed CombustionPressurized Atmospheric Fluidized-Bed Combustion Integrated Gasification CycleIntegrated Gasification Cycle

Other Environmental Other Environmental Impacts of CoalImpacts of Coal

High levels of erosion from strip minesHigh levels of erosion from strip mines Depletion of usable land for agriculture or other Depletion of usable land for agriculture or other

natural purposesnatural purposes Leaching of acids and other harmful chemical Leaching of acids and other harmful chemical

from both extraction and purificationfrom both extraction and purification Emissions from large equipment used in Emissions from large equipment used in

extraction and transportationextraction and transportation Human casualties- mine cave in, black lungHuman casualties- mine cave in, black lung

Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of Oil (Extraction)Oil (Extraction)

135 Billion Gallons of toxic waste mud from drilling135 Billion Gallons of toxic waste mud from drilling Leaching of harmful chemical used to maintain drilling and Leaching of harmful chemical used to maintain drilling and

pumping equipmentpumping equipment Much of the water extracted or used to extract is contaminated Much of the water extracted or used to extract is contaminated

with heavy metal and other toxinswith heavy metal and other toxins The water is often leached into ground water and aquifers through The water is often leached into ground water and aquifers through

giant percolation pool.giant percolation pool. Often natural gas escapes and is either burned or releasedOften natural gas escapes and is either burned or released Just from extraction aloneJust from extraction alone 94,549 tons of Volatile Organic Compounds are released.94,549 tons of Volatile Organic Compounds are released. 366820 tons of greenhouse gases 366820 tons of greenhouse gases 3766 tons of hazardous pollutants3766 tons of hazardous pollutants In off shore drilling much of this waste is released into the oceanIn off shore drilling much of this waste is released into the ocean

Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of Oil (Production)Oil (Production)

A lot of contaminated water is produced in A lot of contaminated water is produced in the separation of the crude oilthe separation of the crude oil

A tremendous amount of energy is used to A tremendous amount of energy is used to heat the crudeheat the crude

Acids can be used in extraction and Acids can be used in extraction and processingprocessing

Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of Oil (Consumption)Oil (Consumption)

Oil burns cleaner than coalOil burns cleaner than coal It still releases large quantities of It still releases large quantities of Nitrous oxide Nitrous oxide Sulfur dioxideSulfur dioxide Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide Methane Methane Heavy oil burning power plants alone account for 6000 Heavy oil burning power plants alone account for 6000

tons of SO2 and 600000 tons of CO2 per yeartons of SO2 and 600000 tons of CO2 per year Natural gas is much cleanerNatural gas is much cleaner

Oil ShaleOil Shale

Extraction and processing of oil shale takes Extraction and processing of oil shale takes tremendous amounts of energy to dotremendous amounts of energy to do

Often toxic acids are used to extract the fuelOften toxic acids are used to extract the fuel Large mines devastate the landscape and Large mines devastate the landscape and

promote erosionpromote erosion Large amounts of highly alkaline minerals are a Large amounts of highly alkaline minerals are a

byproduct and they leach into watershedsbyproduct and they leach into watersheds There is a lot of emissions from the equipment There is a lot of emissions from the equipment

used to mine and process the shale as well as used to mine and process the shale as well as from the burning of the oilfrom the burning of the oil