Fossil Fuels: Their advantages, disadvantages and future

Geoffrey Thyne

Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute

University of Wyoming

Modern Civilization

In 1999, with less than 5 % of the world's population, the US generated 30 % of the world's GDP (Gross Domestic Product), consumed 25 % of the world's energy, and emitted 25 % of the world's carbon dioxide."

World Energy Demand

From John Lavelle – GE Gasification

From John Lavelle – GE Gasification

Energy Sources

Fossil fuels Nuclear Solar Wind Efficiency

US Energy Sources and Sinks

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/pdf/pages/sec1_3.pdf

Energy Sources (%)

Coal

Natural Gas

Crude Oil

NGPL

Nuclear

Renewable

PetroleumImports

Energy Sinks (%)

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Transportation

Fossil Fuels

Oil – liquid hydrocarbon phase formed during burial between 70 and 120C from kerogen.

Natural Gas – hydrocarbons that are gaseous at earth surface conditions (C1-C4) and formed by thermal degradation of kerogen or oil, or by microbial action near surface.

Coal – Solid phase hydrocarbon formed from organic matter deposited in fresh water shallow environments (swamps).

Fossil FuelsPluses and Minuses

Highly efficient fuels with good energy density and energy return.

Large and mature infrastructure. Major liquid reserves are not domestic. Ultimately limited amount. May have reached or are reaching peak oil. Still don’t have clean coal.

World Energy Reserves/Production

For electricity, America can become self-sufficient since 76% is generated domestically from US-based coal (50%), nuclear (19%) and hydro-power (7%).

Why are liquid hydrocarbons so desirable?Energy Density

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100

150

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300

Lif

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En

ergy

Pay

bac

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Low

High

Why are liquid hydrocarbons so desirable?Energy Payback

Resource Triangle

Conventional ReservoirsSmall volumes that areeasy to develop

UnconventionalLarge volumes difficult to develop

Imp

rove

d te

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olo

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Incr

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Almost all liquid petroleum (oil) is refined producing liquid and solid products such as gasoline, jet fuel, petrochemical feedstocks and asphalt.

Almost all liquids are used for transportation (gasoline and diesel).

Liquid Fuels

Conventional Oil and Gas

World Oil Production

BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2008

Proved oil reserves

But - transportation (auto, truck, aircraft, military), plastics and food energy demands are nearly 100% dependent on oil

Most natural gas is used in home heating, electrical generation and petrochemical synthesis.

So is compressed for transportation (LPG). The major current sources are conventional petroleum

fields. The major future sources will be unconventional

sources (coal beds, tight sandstones and shale).

Gaseous Fuels

Production of Coal Bed Gas Groundwater is removed from shallow coal beds to release natural gas (methane).

Production of water is much higher (10-100X) than traditional gas wells

(400 bbl. water = 100 MCF) Capacity of traditional water

disposal method (re-injection) is limited

Shale Gas

Coal – the solid hydrocarbon 6.2 billion tons annually (global) 75% is burned to produce electricity Distribution is fairly uniform on global scale

Coal

Formed when organic-rich sediments were buried to form peat

Further burial creates more carbon–rich forms Lignite or brown coal, fuel only Sub-bituminous, fuel Bituminous, dense, black, fuel and coke Anthracite, glossy black, heating

Using Coal

CoalStandard Pulverized

Coal PlantCoal Gasification

Electrical Generation Carbon Based Products

IGCC Coal Plant

Natural Gas Liquids

AmmoniaFertilizer

Coal Emissions of toxic products Nitrogen produces nitric acid (HNO3), NOX

Sulfur produces SO2, sulfuric acid (H2SO4), SOX

Major metal is mercury (Hg) Produces Flyash as by-product of combustion

Using Coal

Large domestic resource Infrastructure in place Carbon tax will increase electricity costs Will need “clean coal” – capture and dispose of

C, N, S and Hg (Future Gen)

Demand for Energy Will Continue to RiseOil and gas provide about two-thirds of energy consumed

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1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Natural GasCoalOilNuclearHydroRenewables

Qu

adri

llio

n B

tu

Year

DOE EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2004, Figure 2

Oil 40%

Gas 24%

Future of Petroleum Industry

Development of unconventional resources (heavy oils, tar sands, gas, oil shale, coal-to-liquids)

Broad implementation of EOR/IOR Big companies are diversifying into other

energy sources

Questions?