Rajan Wilcox
Unconventional fossil fuels are those that are more challenging and costly to extract than traditional fossil fuels. They are often trapped in reservoirs with poor permeability and porosity, requiring specialized techniques such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to access. Examples of unconventional fossil fuels include shale oil, tight gas, shale gas, methane hydrates, and tar sands oil. Unconventional fossil fuels have gained prominence as conventional resources have been depleted, and new technologies have emerged to make their extraction more economically viable. However, they have also raised environmental concerns due to their more dispersed nature, higher energy intensity, and increased pollution compared to conventional fossil fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Unconventional fossil fuels refer to resources that are more difficult and expensive to extract than conventional fossil fuels. |
| Examples | Shale oil, tight gas, shale gas, oil sands (tar sands), fracked natural gas, methane hydrate, coalbed methane |
| Extraction Methods | Hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"), steam-assisted gravity drainage, directional drilling |
| Environmental Concerns | Increased energy intensity and pollution compared to conventional fossil fuels; Higher life cycle emissions |
| Economic Considerations | Unconventional resources may become economically viable due to technological advancements and high oil prices. |
| Geographic Distribution | Unconventional fossil fuels are dispersed worldwide and are often found in challenging-to-reach locations. |
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What You'll Learn
Shale gas
The development of shale gas resources has socio-economic effects, including increased labour demand, income generation, and disturbance to land and/or economic activity. The latter effect can result in compensation and can fuel a circular relationship of increased demand for goods and services, which in turn creates further employment.
The human toxicity impact of shale gas is estimated to be lower than that of coal, with particulate matter being the dominant factor in both systems.
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Tar sands
The development of tar sands has been shown to be environmentally destructive, water and energy-intensive, and a contributor to global warming. It destroys species' habitats, wastes enormous volumes of water, pollutes air and water, and degrades large areas of land. The production of a barrel of shale oil from tar sands results in 50% more CO2 emissions than the production of a barrel of crude oil, making it worse for climate change than coal.
Additionally, tar sands spills are more devastating than classic crude oil spills. The heavy oil sinks to the bottom of waterways, making cleanup nearly impossible and very expensive. To flow through pipelines, tar sands oil must be diluted with toxic chemicals, which evaporate and sicken people in surrounding areas in the event of a spill. Top climate scientist James Hansen has warned that the continued expansion of tar sands extraction could mean "game over for the climate."
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Oil shale
Despite the challenges, the development of oil shale resources is strategically important for the United States. With the expected decline in the worldwide petroleum supply, oil shale is seen as a long-term source of reliable, affordable, and secure oil. The addition of shale oil to the country's proved oil reserves could significantly increase energy resources, similar to the impact of tar sand production in Canada.
The combustion of unconventional fossil fuels like oil shale contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with studies showing higher life cycle emissions compared to conventional oil. However, the human toxicity impact of electricity produced from shale gas is estimated to be lower than that of coal. As technology improves and energy prices rise, the utilization of unconventional fossil fuels like oil shale is expected to increase, highlighting the ongoing need to address climate change concerns.
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Deepwater oil
To extract deepwater oil, new seismic and drilling technologies have been developed, including drills capable of operating in 10,000 feet of water and drilling up to five miles into the earth. These advancements have made ultra-deepwater oil production a reality. One example of an organisation focused on deepwater oil exploration is the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research Program. This public-private partnership, launched in 2005, aims to increase domestic oil and gas production and reduce dependency on foreign imports.
The Gulf of Mexico is a significant location for deepwater oil exploration, with an estimated 48 billion barrels of oil yet to be discovered. However, the extreme pressure conditions present a significant challenge, as highlighted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, which resulted in the release of approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil into the ocean.
Overall, deepwater oil represents a significant component of unconventional fossil fuel resources, requiring advanced technologies and carrying inherent risks and challenges.
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Fracked natural gas
The key innovation that sparked the fracking boom in the 21st century was the use of a specific fracturing fluid called slickwater, a mix of water, sand, and chemicals to reduce viscosity. This fluid is blasted into the wells at high pressure, cracking the rock and allowing the trapped gas to flow to the surface. The use of horizontal drilling, along with this slickwater technique, significantly increased the productive potential of each well.
Fracking has been a controversial practice due to its environmental impacts. While proponents highlight the economic benefits of accessing previously inaccessible hydrocarbons and the reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared to coal, opponents argue that fracking leads to groundwater and surface water contamination, noise and air pollution, earthquakes, and hazards to public health. There is also uncertainty regarding the scale of methane leakage associated with fracking, which may offset any greenhouse gas emission benefits.
The increased use of fracking has made the United States a major crude oil exporter. However, it is important to note that unconventional fossil fuels, such as fracked natural gas, are more dispersed, difficult to reach, and require more processing than traditional fossil fuels. This results in higher costs, energy intensity, and pollution levels.
Despite the controversies and challenges associated with fracked natural gas, it is still widely used and has the potential to significantly impact global energy markets and trade.
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Frequently asked questions
Unconventional fossil fuels are sources of fossil fuels that are more difficult and expensive to extract than conventional fossil fuels. They are often trapped in reservoirs with poor permeability, requiring specialized techniques and tools for extraction.
Examples of unconventional fossil fuels include tar sands, oil shale, shale gas, and deepwater oil.
The extraction of unconventional fossil fuels requires specialized techniques and tools due to the poor permeability and porosity of the reservoirs they are trapped in. For example, the extraction of shale oil and gas must include hydraulic fracturing to create cracks for the oil or gas to flow through.
The use of unconventional fossil fuels has both social costs and benefits. On the one hand, it can lead to environmental damage, such as land subsidence, groundwater pollution, and oil spills. On the other hand, energy companies may invest in improving local infrastructure as a result of their exploratory work. Additionally, unconventional fossil fuels contribute to global warming and threaten the carbon cycle due to their status as fossil fuels.
