An oil field is basically an area of land used to extract oil. It helps us to extract essentials like oil; a type of fossil fuel, supposed my many to be made out of dead plants, harnessed under the surface of the earth, over many years. This fuel helps create petroleum, which is a staple for much of our transportation today.
The necessity of having access to correct equipment
When it comes to digging for oil, the right equipment is absolutely imperative. Varner, for instance, is known to offer steel pipes with the capability to withstand extreme conditions. With the right equipment, we are able to dig deeper into the earth in a far more cost effective manner. Such will indeed advocate further delving.
Top challenges with using oil rigs
In order to excavate oil, an oil rig is needed. An oil rig is nothing, but an extremely large machine which (you guessed it) has the job of extracting oil. It does so by going deep below the surface of the Earth. The number of oil fields in the World is immense, around 65,000 to be precise. Most of these are located in the Middle East. The Middle East could therefore, be easily referred to as the Oil Wonder of the World.
The areas wherein these rigs are located have admitted concerns about their notorious ability to cause harm to the surrounding environment and ecology. They affect the seabed, causing harm to several underwater species.
Not only does the substance itself cause a disturbance, but severe noise pollution, and air emissions, affect the environment as well. Although the usage of petroleum is immense, its exploration, finding, producing, transportation is oftentimes a detriment, and not a blessing.
So, how is this oil actually dug from beneath the Earth and used in several day to day activities, you ask?
The answer is Exploration and Production(E&P). The E&P sector is the oil & gas industry primarily focused on the exploring, finding, producing and sale of non-renewable sources of energy. It is essentially in charge of all initial stages of the oil & gas industry.
There are typically four stages involved in the process of oil & gas exploration and production, which are as follows:
1. Exploration
At this stage, exploration for hydrocarbons, beneath the Earth, are carried out in order to explore viable sources of oil and gas. One of the most common techniques by engineers is referred to as Seismology. Under this, Seismic waves are sent across the Earth’s deepest layers. This helps the engineers to identify possible sources of oil & gas.
2. Development of Wells
Once the engineers have identified potential fields, the next step is deciding upon the number of
wells and oil rigs to be built. It is based on the demands and requirements needed to be met.
3. Oil & Natural Gas Production
After the wells have been built, the next thing to do is produce the oil and natural gas. Although Natural Gas is produced on the site of production itself, the oil needs to be refined and cleaned before it is used for other purposes. These purposes are many and varied.
4. Replenishing finished areas
As soon as the refining companies are sure they have removed every last bit of oil from an area, and have no need of it any longer, the spots are sealed off and restored to their original state.
As these resources are stored in rock form, it is often found in very small nooks and crannies, and spread over large areas. Therefore, several advanced techniques and methodologies are now being used in order to find it all.
Top Advanced Methods in use Today
1. Radiographic surveying
This is the usage of radio waves to find the availability of oil and natural gas. It is similar to the use of seismic waves.
2. Offshore platforms
Several offshore platforms are built to help the easy identification of possible areas for fields and wells. These are primarily formed in the middle of large bodies of water.
3. Abrasive drilling
Abrasive drilling is a technique used to dig roughly through the Earth’s surface.
4. Directional drilling
Directional drilling is digging in a particular direction or on a curved path, as the spot deepens. Most of these techniques are carried out using a computer. Computer work helps to decrease manual labour.
All this activity may prove to be hazardous for the workers as well. Those who take part will need to take extra precaution to prevent oil spills and leakage. Contractors in this business should take heed and stay as safe as possible.
