Sylvie Willis
Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy that are formed from the organic matter of plants and microorganisms that lived millions of years ago. They include coal, a solid fossil fuel; oil, a liquid fossil fuel; and natural gas, a gaseous fossil fuel. Fossil fuels also encompass petroleum, oil shales, bitumens, tar sands, and heavy oils. These fuels are found in both onshore and offshore locations and are drilled or mined before being burned to produce electricity or refined for use as fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Hydrocarbon-containing material of biological origin that can be burned for energy |
| Types | Coal, petroleum, natural gas, oil shales, bitumens, tar sands, heavy oils, crude oil |
| Phase | Solid (coal), liquid (oil), gaseous (natural gas) |
| Formation | Organic matter of plants and microorganisms that lived millions of years ago |
| Energy Source | Non-renewable |
| Extraction | Drilling, mining, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), rotary drilling, directional drilling |
| Usage | Produce electricity, refine for use as fuel, generate heat, power transportation, businesses, homes |
| Environmental Impact | Air and water pollution, global warming, greenhouse gas emissions |
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What You'll Learn
Coal
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy formed from the organic matter of plants, algae, bacteria, and microorganisms that lived millions of years ago. They are called fossil fuels because they were formed through geological processes acting on organic matter, which was produced by photosynthesis.
How Coal Fits into Fossil Fuels
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Oil/Crude Oil
Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy formed from the organic matter of plants and microorganisms that lived millions of years ago. Oil, also known as petroleum or crude oil, is a fossil fuel that exists in liquid form. It is made up of hydrocarbons that were formed from the remains of marine animals and plants (diatoms) that existed before dinosaurs. Over millions of years, the remains of these organisms were covered by layers of sand, silt, and rock, and the heat and pressure from these layers transformed them into oil.
Oil deposits are found underground, typically deep below the Earth's surface, and can be extracted through drilling. The process of drilling involves penetrating the layers of sand, silt, and rock to reach the oil reservoirs, which are often found in sedimentary rocks. Oil can also be found in semi-solid or gaseous forms, mixed with sand and water, in certain locations such as the Athabasca oil sands in Canada. In its semi-solid form, oil is referred to as crude bitumen, a sticky, black, and tar-like substance that requires heating or dilution to flow.
The composition of crude oil varies across different deposits, resulting in a range of densities and colours. It is classified as either sweet or sour depending on the residual amounts of sulfur present. The versatility of oil extends beyond its use as a fuel, with applications in various industries, including lubrication, plastics, cosmetics, and medicine. Oil is a crucial energy source, particularly for road transport, which accounted for 49% of petroleum use in 2018.
The extraction and utilisation of oil have a long history, dating back to ancient China, where it was discovered, extracted, and used in its raw state as early as the first century BCE. By the fourth century BCE, the Chinese recorded the use of oil as fuel, and by 347 CE, oil was being produced from bamboo-drilled wells. Oil has also played a significant role in international relations, with organisations like OPEC exerting considerable influence in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Fossil Fuels: Inorganic Energy Sources and Their Impact
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Natural Gas
The process of natural gas formation began around 550 million years ago. Over time, the organic remains of microorganisms and plants decomposed and became buried under layers of dirt, rock, and other decaying materials. This process sealed off oxygen and subjected the organic matter to increasing amounts of heat and pressure, leading to a thermal breakdown that converted it into hydrocarbons. The lightest of these hydrocarbons occur in a gaseous state, forming what we know as natural gas.
There are different types of natural gas deposits, including conventional and unconventional natural gas. Conventional natural gas is found in large cracks and spaces between layers of overlying rock. Unconventional natural gas, on the other hand, occurs in the tiny pores within shale, sandstone, and other types of sedimentary rock. Unconventional natural gas is often extracted through hydraulic fracturing or fracking, where water, chemicals, and sand are forced into the well under high pressure to break up the formation and release the natural gas.
How Fossil Fuels Are Created
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Petroleum
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy formed from the organic matter of plants and microorganisms that lived millions of years ago. Petroleum, also known as crude oil, is one of the major fossil fuels, alongside coal and natural gas. Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons that was formed from the remains of animals and plants (diatoms) that lived in a marine environment before the dinosaurs. Over millions of years, these remains were covered by layers of sand, silt, and rock, and the heat and pressure from these layers transformed the organic matter into petroleum or crude oil. The word 'petroleum' means rock oil or oil from the earth.
The commercial exploitation of petroleum began in the 19th century, and it played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution. Petroleum is used as a fuel and is also the feedstock for the petrochemical industry. It is a key component in the production of gasoline and diesel oil, which are used in automobiles, trucks, and other forms of transportation such as railways and aircraft. Additionally, tar, a byproduct of petroleum extraction, is used in road construction.
The American Petroleum Institute is a powerful industry lobbyist for Big Oil companies, including ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP, and has significant influence in Washington, D.C. The presence of these companies at global forums, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Paris Climate Agreement negotiations, highlights the importance and impact of the petroleum industry on a global scale.
Fossil Fuels: Ancient Organisms Powering Our World
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Oil Shale
Shale oil, produced from oil shale rock fragments, can be used immediately as a fuel or upgraded to meet refinery feedstock specifications. Shale oil can be used for the same purposes as crude oil, such as heating oil and marine fuel. It can also be used in the production of various chemicals. However, shale oil extraction is costly and has a negative environmental impact. It requires enormous amounts of freshwater, and the process contaminates water with toxic compounds. The combustion of shale oil also releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.
Fossil Fuels: Damaging Our Environment, Hurting Our Future
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Frequently asked questions
There are three main types of fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas.
Coal is a solid, carbon-heavy rock that comes in four main varieties: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. It is a widely used fossil fuel rich in carbon and hydrocarbons that requires combustion to release its energy.
Oil, also known as petroleum or crude oil, is a liquid fossil fuel consisting of a variety of hydrocarbons. It is found in underground reservoirs or in the cracks and pores of sedimentary rock.
Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel that consists mostly of methane and other small hydrocarbons. It is often found alongside oil deposits.
