Oil as a Non-Renewable Fuel - Coursework Example

Bitumen is also formed in this step. This process is diagenesis and is considered the first step of petroleum formation (White, 2006). The second step of petroleum formation is known as Catagenesis. In this step, the kerogen formed in the first step is kerogen is exposed to increasing temperatures and pressures and is broken down thermally to form hydrocarbons (petroleum) (White, 2006).

It is important to note that even though both petroleum and coal are fossil fuels and are nonrenewable, the raw materials and their formation processes are quite different (White, 2006). While petroleum is formed from algae and zooplanktons, coal is formed from higher terrestrial plants (these plants are rich in lignin and cellulose) (White, 2006).

The world’s major petroleum reserves are located in Venezuela, United Arabs Emirates, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iraq, and Kuwait among others (Click, 2010).

Petroleum is normally found within the reservoir. For a reservoir to hold recoverable oil it must be porous and permeable, while at the same the reservoir must have a seal or trap to prevent the accumulated oil from escaping (White, 2006). During extraction, a well is normally drilled through the reservoir. Oil flows from the reservoir to the drilled well from where it flows to the surface under the influence of natural underground pressure. When the pressure is so low that the oil cannot flow to the surface of the oil so thick that it cannot flow, natural gas or hot water may be pumped into the well to enhance flow (White, 2006).

Extraction of oil is normally associated with several cases of environmental degradation such as oil spills, and waste chemical run-offs of oil-producing companies among others (Moss, 2010). These cases of environmental degradation as a result of oil production have been reported in Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Columbia, and Ecuador among others (Moss, 2010). For example, oil extraction companies have brought down trees in the rainforest of Ecuador (Moss, 2010). It is estimated that these trees are being brought down at a rate of about 340,000 hectares per year (Moss, 2010).

Energy is mainly produced from petroleum through combustion. Oil may be combusted to heat steam power plants and to drive engines such as generators and motor vehicles among others (Moss, 2010). The combustion of oil produces substances that are hazardous to the environment such as sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide among others (Moss, 2010). These substances are responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer thereby enhancing global warming.

Michele Taylor’s response is more comprehensive and detailed as compared to the response by Cole. Michele Taylor has addressed all the questions sufficiently in the response Cole’s response on other hand did not address all the questions; the only areas addressed are coal formation and mining.

Regardless of the above environmental challenges, oil is has been used as the main source of energy since time immemorial. This is because it is the most flexible and convenient source of energy. For example, a diesel generator can be taken to provide electrical energy in almost all locations without necessarily installing expensive equipment. Other sources of energy such as hydro and solar energies are limited to places in which they can operate or may require expensive installations.

Politics have played a greater role in the oil demand. For example, governments of oil-producing nations may create artificial shortages of oil to increase oil prices (Click, 2010).

Total adoption of alternative sources of fuel may not be welcomed by many nations such as UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria among others since the economies of these nations are funded by oil (Click, 2010).