Report 1

Fossil Fuels

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Fossil Fuels

We have depended on oil and gas supplies derived from substantial sedimentary

formations for over 100 years (conventional oil). Unconventional natural gas and oil resources

have become more significant as these supplies disappear with rising energy demands.

Conventional oil is extracted from reservoirs with enough pressure, porosity, and permeability to

allow free flow. The oil that does not flow easily or needs specialized technology to extract is

referred to as unconventional oil, and as a consequence, its production costs are higher (Murray

& Hansen, 2013). The observed robust economy was the primary driver of the global 2.3%

increase in energy consumption in 2018. This is about twice the average pace of growth since

2010. 2017 had an increase of more than 40%. (Kuo, 2019). Different new technologies have

been developed to extract unconventional fuel resources. Though it has greatly aided in

controlling the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, the environmental impacts cannot be overlooked.

This report will look into the remaining supplies of the current conventional fossil fuels.

Moreover, we will also discuss unconventional fossil fuels, the technologies used to extract them

as well the environmental impacts associated with them.

Coal

Coal is a non-renewable fossil fuel made from ancient plants buried, heated, and pressed

for millions of years. The conventional supplies of coal are not unlimited, and they are gradually

being depleted. The amount of conventional coal reserves that can be economically mined and

extracted using current technologies is limited and varies from country to country.

According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2021, the proven global reserves of coal

were estimated to be around 1,081 billion tonnes at the end of 2020 (BP, 2021).
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According to the International Coal Association, all of the world's known deposits of coal

will be depleted by the year 2130 (World Coal Association, 2020). However, this is only the

amount that can be extracted using current technology and at current prices.

Coalbed methane is a natural gas that is found in coal seams. It is formed during

coalification and trapped in the coal matrix. It can be extracted by drilling into the coal seam and

pumping out the methane gas.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used by the oil and gas industry for the

extraction of natural gas and oil from otherwise unreachable deposits (Hao et al., 2019). Coal bed

methane (CBM), a natural gas that is held in coal seams, has also been extracted in recent years

using the fracking method. Hydraulic fracturing breaks the coal seam to let gas flow to the

wellbore for CBM extraction. After drilling a well into the coal seam, a high-pressure fluid

combination is injected. Water, sand, and a small number of chemicals push open coal fissures

and enable gas to flow more freely.

The mining, cleaning, shipping, production of energy, and disposal of coal all result in

the emission of several hazardous chemicals into the air, water, and land. They threaten human

health and disturb ecosystems. Some stop reproduction and development, while others harm the

neurological and immunological systems and cause cancer.

Extraction of CBM releases methane, a greenhouse gas. Around 8% of worldwide

methane emissions come from coal mines. Drilling disrupts ecosystems and animal habitats.

Moreover, CBM development's potential impact on downstream water supplies is growing.

Disposing of the highly salinized water needed to release methane is difficult since it might harm

freshwater habitats.
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Natural Gas

Natural gas is a fossil fuel primarily composed of methane gas (CH4) but may also

contain small amounts of other hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, and butane. It was created

over millions of years from the compressed and buried remnants of plants and animals.

Compared to coal reserves, natural gas reserves (and R/P ratios) are lower, but they are

higher than the R/P ratio for oil. According to estimates, there is about 60 years' worth of natural

gas left at the pace of present usage. Nevertheless, since this ratio implies current output levels, it

must be evaluated cautiously. With new technology, production has been rising gradually over

the last several years and may continue to rise.

Shale gas is natural gas trapped in minute or sub-microscopic holes and found in shale

formations. The primary hydrocarbon sought after by exploration firms, methane (CH4),

typically takes about 70 to 90% of shale gas.

Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are two technological advancements that

have contributed to an increase in shale gas extraction. Hydraulic fracturing extracts commercial

gas from shale formations despite their limited permeability. The shale formation is fractured by

injecting fracturing fluid, generally water with sand and chemicals, under high pressure.

Drilling a well horizontally entails starting with a vertical well and bending it to follow

the shale seam. These horizontal portions, which may range in length from 4,000 to 8,000 feet,

allow for greater exposure of the formation to the wellbore.

While natural gas burns more cleanly than coal and liquid petroleum, it still releases a lot

of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane into the environment. Significant amounts of methane are
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released during the extraction and transportation of natural gas. During a 20-year period,

methane is 87 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (Green America,

n.d.).

While examining the potential for shale gas extraction, environmental implications may

be the most difficult problem. There might be concerns with groundwater pollution, surface

spills, air quality issues, challenges with road infrastructure and maintenance, issues with the

treatment and disposal of flow back waters, and fluxes of greenhouse gases into the environment,

among other possible effects (Arthur & Cole, 2014).

Oil

Oil is a form of fossil fuel that was created over millions of years from plant and animal

remnants buried in sedimentary rocks. The process of oil formation begins with the deposition of

organic material, such as algae, plankton, and other microorganisms, on the ocean floor. Over

time, these materials are buried by layers of sediment, which gradually increases the pressure and

temperature.

Proven reserves are a common metric used when discussing oil. In 2019, the world's total

proven oil reserves were 1,733.9 billion barrels, as reported by British Petroleum in their

Statistical Review of World Energy. In 2019, the world used roughly 35.9 billion barrels of oil. If

proven reserves did not increase and consumption continued at 2019 levels, such reserves would

be depleted in just around 48 years, or sometime in 2067.

Tight oil is found in sedimentary rock types like sandstones and siltstones that have

extremely limited permeability. Extracting tight oil involves combining horizontal drilling and

hydraulic fracturing (or "fracking").

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There is a naturally occurring combination of sand, silt, clay, water, and a thick and

viscous type of petroleum called bitumen referred to as “Oil sands”. In its natural condition,

bitumen in oil sands cannot be pumped from the ground. Surface mining, strip mining, or open-

pit mining methods may be used to extract deposits close to the surface (Kuwayama et al., 2013).

Major greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are released into the

environment when oil is burned for energy. Moreover, dangerous pollutants like sulfur dioxide

and nitrogen oxides are released during oil production and transportation operations. These

pollutants may cause smog, acid rain, and respiratory health issues.

Oil Sand needs a great deal of energy to extract, has a high concentration of embedded

carbon and heavy metals, and must be treated intensively before being refined. When the

bitumen is refined into petroleum products, additional environmental concerns arise at each stage

of the process. The worldwide environment is affected by several difficulties, such as the

massive extraction of petroleum coke.

Fracking requires large amounts of water to be injected into the well to extract the oil.

This can lead to significant water usage and depletion of local water resources. In addition, the

water used in fracking is often contaminated with chemicals and other pollutants, making it

difficult to treat and dispose of properly.

Conclusion

Fossil fuels are continuously depleting. As conventional gas and oil supplies decrease in

tandem with increasing demand, the role of unconventional resources has grown in importance.
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Different unconventional sources were discussed in this report. Coalbed methane is natural gas

found in coal seams. It is trapped in the coal matrix during coalification. It is extracted by

drilling into the coal seam and pumping methane gas out.

Moreover, shale gas is another source which is natural gas trapped in tiny pores in shale

strata.

Tight oil is often found in sedimentary rock types like sandstones and siltstones with

exceptionally low permeability is where tight oil. Moreover, "Oil sands" are a naturally occurring

mixture of sand, silt, clay, water, and a thick and sticky form of petroleum known as bitumen.

Different technologies to extract unconventional sources were also discussed. Additionally, the

environmental implications of fossil fuels, both conventional and unconventional, were also

analyzed.

References

Arthur, M. A., & Cole, D. R. (2014). Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources: Prospects and

Problems. Elements, 10(4), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.10.4.257

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BP. (2020). Statistical Review of World Energy. https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/business-

sites/en/global/corporate/pdfs/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-2020-

full-report.pdf

BP. (2021). Statistical Review of World Energy. https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/business-

sites/en/global/corporate/pdfs/energy-economics/statistical-review/bp-stats-review-2021-

full-report.pdf

Hao, C., Cheng, Y., Wang, L., Liu, H., & Shang, Z. (2019). A novel technology for enhancing

coalbed methane extraction: Hydraulic cavitating assisted fracturing. Journal of Natural

Gas Science and Engineering, 72, 103040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2019.103040

Kuo, G. (2019, May 23). When fossil fuels run out, What then? MAHB.

https://mahb.stanford.edu/library-item/fossil-fuels-run/

Kuwayama, Y., Olmstead, S. M., & Krupnick, A. (2013). Water resources and unconventional

fossil fuel development: linking physical impacts to social costs. Resources for the

Future DP, 13-34.

Natural Gas: Why Is It Dirty? | Green America. (n.d.). Www.greenamerica.org.

https://www.greenamerica.org/fight-dirty-energy/amazon-build-cleaner-cloud/natural-

gas-why-it-dirty

Murray, J. W., & Hansen, J. (2013). Peak Oil and Energy Independence: Myth and Reality. Eos,

Transactions American Geophysical Union, 94(28), 245–246.

https://doi.org/10.1002/2013eo280001
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World Coal Association. (2020). What is coal & where is it found? World Coal Association.

https://www.worldcoal.org/coal-facts/what-is-coal-where-is-it-found/