Fossil Fuels: Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas

Oil: 40% of Global Energy Consumption

Oil represents 40% of global energy consumption. It is found underground and extracted via wells. The oil refining process transforms it from a raw ore into various products, including plastics, gasoline, solvents, waxes, glues, tar, and asphalt.

Major Oil Reserves and Consumption

The largest reserves are in the Middle East, with other significant areas including Mexico, the USA, Venezuela, Nigeria, the Gulf of Guinea, Angola, Norway, Britain, Russia, Europe, and Japan. Consumption is highest in industrialized countries, particularly the USA and Canada. The U.S. oil industry was the first to develop, and during the 1929 stock market crash, the U.S. provided 70% of the world's oil. Other areas in Africa and Asia also exploit oil sites.

The exploitation of oil requires substantial investments, often undertaken by multinational companies such as BP, Repsol, Shell, Exxon, Standard Oil, and Total.

OPEC's Role

OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is a cartel that attempts to regulate the flow of oil into the market to prevent excessive price drops. In the 1970s, during an oil crisis caused by rising prices, OPEC successfully increased oil prices. The control of such a fundamental resource often leads to conflicts.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental problems arising from oil exploitation and consumption include oil slicks and pollution.

Coal: Types and Environmental Impact

Mineral Coal

Mineral coal is extracted through underground mining operations. While abundant, it is a non-renewable resource existing in finite quantities. It was the primary energy source of the First Industrial Revolution (Watt) but was later replaced by oil. However, its use remains significant, particularly as fuel for power plants generating electricity.

The combustion of coal causes significant air pollution:

• CO₂: A gas responsible for global warming and the greenhouse effect.
• Sulfur: In contact with water (H₂O), it produces sulfuric acid, leading to acid rain.

Other environmental impacts include the significant landscape alteration caused by open-pit mining and potential water pollution.

Vegetal Coal

Vegetal coal originates from wood. In developed societies, it is less important, but it remains a basic fuel for stoves in the developing world. It has fewer calories and contributes to deforestation.

Natural Gas: A Cleaner Fossil Fuel

Natural Gas is a fossil fuel that is less polluting than oil or coal but still releases CO₂, contributing to global warming. It is easier to process than oil and is transported via pipelines and ships.

Uses of Natural Gas

• Domestic use (hot water and cooking)
• Fuel for combined-cycle power plants that generate electricity from gas combustion

Supply and Reserves

Algeria supplies gas to Spain via a pipeline, and Spain has reserves for 30 days. Russia supplies the gas consumed in Central and Western Europe.