Fossil Fuels: Formation, Uses, and Future Availability

Fossil Fuels: A Deep Dive

Most of the energy used worldwide today comes from fossil fuels. They are used in transportation, to generate electricity, to heat rooms, and for cooking.

Fossil fuels include oil, coal, and natural gas, formed millions of years ago from the organic remains of dead plants and animals. Over millennia, the remains of organisms were deposited at the bottom of seas, lakes, and other water bodies, covered by layers of sediment. Chemical reactions of decomposition and the pressure exerted by the weight of these layers transformed these organic remains into gas, oil, or coal.

The Non-Renewable Nature of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources; we cannot replace what we consume. They will eventually run out, and it may take millions of years for similar conditions to arise again.

Oil: Liquid Gold

Oil is an oily liquid composed of carbon and hydrogen in varying proportions, found at depths ranging between 500 and 4,000 meters. Humans have used this resource since antiquity. The Egyptians used oil in mummification, and the Romans used it for lighting. Today, refineries and petrochemical plants extract various products from oil for different applications, including liquefied gas, gasoline, diesel, lubricating oils, paints, detergents, plastics, cosmetics, and fertilizers.

Coal: A Solid Fuel

Coal is a fossil fuel extracted from underground mines and requires minimal refining before use. Coal consumption is expected to decrease in some regions due to the increased use of natural gas.

Natural Gas: Methane's Role

Natural gas consists mainly of methane, a chemical compound made of carbon and hydrogen atoms. It is found underground, often alongside oil deposits. It is extracted through pipes and stored in large tanks, then distributed to users through pipelines. As it is odorless and colorless, a substance with a strong, unpleasant odor is added to detect leaks.