Better Ways to Extract Oil from Oil Reservoirs

Many scientists today say that we will run out of oil in the not too distant future. Therefore, it is important that we find better ways to extract oil from oil reservoirs. However, squeezing oil from shale fields, deep sea drilling, and manufactured fuels are expensive and will cost much more than the old ways of extracting oil.

We began using oil as a cheaper alternative to other fuels such as whale blubber, wood, etc.). As energy becomes more expensive as a result of supply and demand or new technology, will we continue to use it or will we switch to alternative fuels such as biofuels, wind, natural gas, and others.

Finding better ways to extract oil from oil reservoirs is important to our future. One of the newest ways is by using microwaves to unlock oil reserves from which oil is hard to extract – shale fields. It is estimated that the western United States contains nearly two trillion (eight hundred billion recoverable) barrels of oil that is trapped in shale. This is three times the proven reserves of Saudi Arabia alone.

Using microwaves, underground heat is generated and kerogen is melted in the shale that can be converted into oil. Co2 is used to extract the oil from the rock and move it forward to the well.

Microwave technology was discovered many years ago but, with the low cost of other methods, was not fully exploited. Today, with higher prices and new technology, we are once again considering this option as we hope to reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources.

Tests have also been conducted that consist of baking the shale rock while it is in the ground with electric heating rods, melting the oil, and then pumping the liquid to the surface. This type of heating is now being researched as to its viability as well.

We are already using Co2 technology to gather additional oil from reservoirs to extend their useful lifetime. This technology pumps Co2 into the reservoir causing the oil to change viscosity, becoming much thinner, and begin flowing to the well. 

Certainly, as we face the current economic downturn and struggle with the rising cost of gas at the pump, we will be forced to find better ways to extract oil from oil reservoirs. The question remains as to whether those better ways will be as cost effective as the methods currently used. While they may be better, if we cannot afford to exploit them, there will be no use for them. Americans will find their own alternatives to high prices at the pump if necessary and, if we must wean ourselves off fossil fuels, then we will.