Untitled - Chronicle In Education

EARTH'S ENERGY: The Science of Offshore Drilling
In most periods of human history, mankind made progress as new
discoveries and inventions improved the way people lived. Sometimes,
the advances were painfully slow, while other eras saw fairly big
leaps forward. It is probably fair to say that never in the past has
mankind made such rapid and sweeping changes as have been
seen in the last one or two centuries. Much of that progress
has been the result of the discovery and use of oil and
natural gas to provide energy, and this guide will take
you through some of the methods that are used today
to provide us with the energy we enjoy. First, however,
we need to look at some of the secrets held by the
Earth and the ways in which science and technology
have teamed up to uncover those secrets and use that
information to change the world.
The Rock Cycle
The rock cycle describes the changes that rocks
undergo over a long period of time. There are three
basic categories of rock depending on how the rock is
formed:
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Under the right conditions, each type of rock can change into one of the other types; for
example, igneous rock can change into metamorphic rock; it can also change into sedimentary
rock. Similarly, metamorphic rock and sedimentary rock can each change into either of the
other two types of rock.
Igneous rock is formed from magma (liquid, melted rock). As the magma loses heat, either
on the Earth’s surface or underground, it cools and crystallizes into igneous rock. Magma that
has erupted from a volcano and cooled hardens into igneous rock. Some examples of igneous
rock are basalt, pumice, and granite.
Science:
Metamorphic rock is formed from heat or pressure (or both). Rocks which are buried
deep in the Earth at high temperatures and pressures form new minerals and textures without
3.7A
Chem 4A
melting. Large chunks of the Earth’s surface, called tectonic plates, are constantly moving. This
5.5A
ES 6D
movement may cause an earthquake, folding, faulting, or uplift of rocks. Metamorphic rock can
5.7A
ES 11B
be formed when the friction from the Earth’s moving tectonic plates heats the rock. Examples of
metamorphic rock are marble and slate.
6.10B,D
EnvSci 6B
Any rock exposed to the Earth’s surface can be transformed into sedimentary rock. Wind,
8.9B
rain, snow, and ice break the rock into pieces and these tiny pieces are eventually deposited in
layers that become sedimentary rock. Sand, silt, and mud are all tiny bits of rock. They might
be washed by a river into the ocean where they fall to the bottom. As the sediments pile up, the
older ones are buried deeper and deeper. When they become deep enough, heat and pressure
harden them, turning them into rock. Sedimentary rocks are especially interesting because they may contain fossils that scientists use to tell what plants and animals
lived during certain eras.
Sedimentary rocks are further classified according to the size of the sediment particles. Sandstone is formed from grains of sand (largest); siltstone is formed from
grains of silt; and shale is formed from grains of mud (smallest). While the spaces between the grains of sand in sandstone are impossible to see with the naked eye,
they exist, making sandstone porous. Liquids can sometimes be found in this porous rock. Porous sedimentary rocks may contain drinking water or oil and gas. Shale,
formed from the tiniest grains, is not porous. This lack of porosity helps to prevent liquids from escaping. Some examples of sedimentary rock are sandstone, shale,
and coal.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
2
The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is a key element found in
all living things and nearly everywhere
on the planet. It exists in the atmosphere as
carbon dioxide (CO2), in plants and trees, in the soil, in rocks,
in animal shells, in the oceans, and in fossil fuels. The carbon cycle
is a series of processes through which carbon atoms shift from place
to place. The carbon cycle is a “closed system,” meaning that the
amount of carbon in the world never changes; it simply shifts form
and location. Thus the carbon that is present in your body could be
the same carbon that was present in a creature that lived thousands of
years ago or in a plant that grew in the distant past.
When you studied plants, you probably learned about photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere and use it, along with the water they absorb from the
soil and energy from sunlight, to make the substances they need for
growth. The plant uses the carbon atoms from the carbon dioxide to
make sugars. An animal, such as a cow, might eat that plant and use
the carbon to build its own tissues. When you eat that beef, you will
use the carbon for your own needs. When animals breathe, carbon dioxide is returned to the air, continuing the cycle. Plants also release
carbon back to the air during respiration.
The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is also dissolved into the
oceans where it is used by marine (ocean) plants and animals. Ocean
plants use carbon dioxide from the water for photosynthesis; in turn,
marine animals eat the plants to get the carbon they need. Some sea
creatures have carbon-filled shells.
When plants or animals die, they decompose and become part
of the soil (on land) or settle to the ocean floor (in the sea). Under the
right conditions, and over a very long period of time, they might be
transformed into fossil fuels.
CO2 in
Atmosphere
CO2 in
Biomass
Diffusion
Photosynthesis
Decomposition
Respiration
Biomass
CO2 in Ocean
Aquatic
Biomass
Soil Organic Matter
Coal and Oil
Calcareous
Sediments
TEKS
Science:
5.9D Bio 12E
7.5A,B
ES 15D
8.10A
EnvSci 4C,D
AquaticSci 6A EnvSci 5H,I
Houston Chronicle Activity
Fossil Fuel
Burning
Petroleum Geologists have been compared to detectives, searching
for and gathering information and clues that will help them decide
whether oil and gas are likely to be found in a certain location.
Use this activity to help you decide whether you enjoy gathering
lots of information to help you make important decisions.
Look through the Houston Chronicle to find a “mystery” or
problem that seems to have no easy solution. Make a list of
the information you would need to gather to make a decision
about this issue. List any possible solutions and the difficulties each
solution might face. Would you enjoy gathering the clues you need?
Does the idea of being a “detective” appeal to you?
CO2 in
Lithoshere
Limestone and Dolomite
Credit: Offshore Energy Center.
Caree
r Opp
Petro
ortun
leum
Prere
quisi
ity
Geolo
gist
tes/Q
ualifi
• Min
• Stro
i
n
• Abil g skills in mum of M
S
ity to
mathe
use an
matic c in Geolo
g
s
d und
erstan , science, c y
ompu
d sop
histic
ated t ter skills
echno
logy
• Sear
ch fo
under r and find
sea tr
l
aps th ikely unde
r
at hol
d gas ground or
and o
il.
Basic
cation
s
Funct
ion
3
How Hydrocarbons are Formed
Oil and natural gas are called hydrocarbons because they are composed
entirely of the elements hydrogen and carbon. Natural gas contains ethane
(C2H6), propane (C3H8), and butane (C4H10), but is mostly methane (CH4).
Oil is also called petroleum, meaning “rock oil,” because of the relationship
between sedimentary rocks and the presence of oil.
Scientists believe that gas and oil come from the remains of animals and
plants that took light from the sun and converted it into energy millions of years
ago. Over long time spans, trillions of these creatures died and were washed
into the ocean by rivers that also carried sediment. The plants and animals
settled to the bottom of the sea where they were covered by many tons of mud,
sand, and silt. The high heat and pressure caused the creatures to be turned into
oil and natural gas, while the sediment was transformed into sedimentary rock.
Because sandstone and limestone are very porous, oil and gas can move very
freely through these rocks. The tremendous pressure thousands of feet beneath
the surface causes the oil and gas to move upward, to areas of less pressure. If
it is able to reach the surface, an oil seep might be found above ground. This
took place many years ago in Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and Louisiana.
While the oil will ooze through rocks if there is enough space between them,
it will not accumulate in large quantities unless there is something to prevent
it from continuing to flow upward. A “trap rock” is not porous and will not
allow fluids to move through it. As oil reaches the trap rock, it is prevented
from moving further and begins to accumulate. Shale is the most common
trap rock. Geologists also look for Salt Dome Traps because oil reservoirs
are often located near one. Salt domes are formed when molten salt cools and
solidifies, folding the rocks that surround it. Oil cannot flow though the salt
dome, which makes a good trap rock.
With the necessary geologic elements present, a deposit of oil might be
formed. There must be source rock where the oil or gas forms; there must be
reservoir rock that is porous enough for liquids to flow through it; there must
be a fold or other deformity in the Earth that creates a space where the oil can
accumulate; and there must be trap rock that prevents the oil and gas from
flowing away. Over many thousands of years these conditions were present
in some areas, both under the land and under the sea, and deposits of oil and
natural gas lay waiting to change the way we live.
How Oil is Formed
1. Energy is captured by very small organisms called microplankton floating
in oceans and lakes.
2. Dead dinosaurs do NOT turn into oil. These tiny, tiny creatures such as
diatoms, foraminifera, and radiolaria settle to the bottom of the sea and
become part of the sediment.
3. After thousands of years, sediments and the remains of many of these tiny
creatures become very thick and deep. Under intense pressure and high
heat, these organisms become oil and natural gas.
4. All of the oil and gas created by the source rock won’t be useful unless it
can be trapped in one location. This location is reservoir rock.
5. Reservoir rock has lots of pore spaces to hold oil just like a sponge.
6. Oil will not accumulate into large quantities unless something traps it in
a particular place. There are a variety of geologic traps, which themselves
can be broken into categories:
• Structural trap types: anticline, fault
• Stratigraphic trap types: unconformity, lens, pinch-out
• Combination traps
It is important to remember that oil is not all by itself in some sort of
underground cave, but is, instead, contained within solid rock - which has
enough room within it to actually soak with oil.
7. Trap Rocks are special because they do not have pores that will easily
allow the movement of oil. Though trap rocks block oil from
moving through them, they don’t always block oil from
moving around them. For a trap rock to do its job, we
need some kind of geologic trap.
4
Credit: Paleontological Research Institution.
5.
7.
Cave Men
Uses of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Imagine that you lived during the time of the early cave
men, a time when the only outside source of energy was the sun.
The sun provided light and heat, but only during daylight hours.
There would be days when the sun didn’t shine, and seasons of
the year when the sun provided very little warmth or light. Your
cave would be dark, damp, and cold; and you might be attacked
by wild animals that roamed the area.
Now try to imagine the amazement and joy you might have
felt when you first discovered fire. Perhaps lightning struck a
tree, setting its branches on fire. When you first saw the light
given off by the blaze, you would have approached the fire to
satisfy your curiosity. You would have felt the warmth that
radiated from the flames. If you used your imagination and
intelligence, you might have grasped the importance of your
discovery and pictured the ways in which fire could improve
your life. You could use fire to warm your cave and to provide
some light at night. You could cook your food and could keep
wild animals away from your cave. How luxurious your new
life would have felt!
While the discovery of fire made tremendous changes in people’s lives, the changes
that have taken place since the discovery of oil and natural gas have been even more
impressive. Over many centuries, mankind increased the ability to use energy by first
taming animals (horses, mules, oxen), increasing the amount of work that could be
accomplished by one man. Later, machines were invented that used energy created by
wind ( windmills) and water. The early settlers who came to this country would clear
land, plant crops, and harvest those crops with no help other than that of the animals they
owned. Homes would be heated with wood that was burned in fireplaces. Light was
provided by candles and, later, by whale oil. Clothing, shoes, furniture, and tools were
made by hand. Horses were the main means of land transportation for those who could
afford them, and most people walked from place to place. There was no refrigeration,
making food preservation difficult. In the middle of the nineteenth century, most
people in the United States lived and worked on farms. Growing enough food for the
nation was a job that required more than half the workforce of the country.
The use of oil and natural gas to provide energy changed the way people
worked, where they chose to live, and their standard of living. Oil and natural gas
are flammable, and therefore create heat energy, which can be used to produce other
types of energy. As deposits of oil and natural gas were discovered, scientists learned
more and more about their properties, and technology created more and more uses for
hydrocarbons. Methods of transportation changed as the automobile, truck, dieselpowered trains, and planes were invented. Methods of farming improved as farm
machinery accomplished the work of many men, and the use of fertilizer increased the
size of the crops. Refrigeration made preservation of food easier and made fresh fruits
and vegetables available to those who lived at a distance from where they were grown.
Oil and natural gas have affected the planting and harvesting of food, the size of the
crops, the wrapping in which it is packaged, and the methods by which it reaches the
consumer. Factories, in which items that were previously produced by hand could be
mass-produced with the help of machines driven by these new sources of energy, sprang
up in cities. Industrial uses of oil and natural gas include the production of electricity,
steel, glass, paper, brick, and much more. Families began to move to the cities where
better-paying jobs were available to those who were no longer needed on farms.
Homes changed with the availability of central heating, electricity, air conditioning,
and dozens of appliances run by energy produced from oil and natural gas.
Houston Chronicle Activity
We often read or hear about natural gas (methane) and
gasoline, but there are other fuels that are made from
hydrocarbons. Look through the Houston Chronicle for
an advertisement or article that mentions kerosene, diesel
fuel, or jet fuel. What have you learned about its uses?
Career
Opport
unity
Driller
Prerequ
isites/Q
ualifica
• High s
• Know chool diploma
ledge o
or equiv
required
alent
for the s f all technical c
alculati
afe ope
ration
ons
• Basic
comput of the drilling
unit
er skills
tions
Airplane jet engines burn kerosene to make them
run. A Boeing 747 burns about 5 tons of
fuel to take off and over 100 tons to
fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
Basic F
unction
• Opera
te
as instru drilling and m
ud calcu
cted in
the wel
lat
l
p
rogram ing equipment
with po
a
nd
licies an
d proce in accordance
dures
Many household appliances are
powered by natural gas.
5
By the year 2000, the United States was using nearly 20 million barrels
of petroleum each day. Transportation used approximately 14 million
barrels each day; industry used about 4 million barrels each day; and
electric utilities and residences used the remaining 2 million barrels each
day. Currently, one half of the homes in the United States use natural
gas as their main heating fuel, while most of the rest use oil or electricity
produced from oil or natural gas.
The amount of oil and natural gas used to fuel the economy
in the United States continues to increase as new technology that
requires energy is developed. Unfortunately, hydrocarbons are
neither renewable nor inexhaustible sources of energy. Finding
new sources and making the most of the sources that are
known are high priorities. There is a high demand for energy
throughout the world, and the supply is sometimes stretched
to meet increasing needs.
TEKS
Science:
Social Studies:
3.7D
5.7A
6.9C
7.3A
7.6A
ES 12B,C
EnvSci 5C
4.9A,B
4.13B
4.20B
7.7B
7.12B
7.13C
Houston Chronicle Activities
1. In addition to using hydrocarbons as a source of energy, scientists
have found many other uses in consumer products. Here is a partial
list of everyday items made from petroleum and natural gas. Look
through the Houston Chronicle for pictures or words that identify
these items. Clip out the words or pictures and make a collage, using
what you have found.
Many everyday items are made
with chemicals and products
made from petroleum and
natural gas.
Career
ty
i
n
u
t
r
Oppo
r
Welde
isite
u
Prereq
ions
icat
f
i
l
a
u
s/Q
nt
quivale um of one
e
r
o
a
iplom
minim
chool d cation and a nd pipeworks
s
h
g
i
•H
certifi
ion, a
elding
abricat s
f
w
,
g
d
n
e
i
d
co
n weld
r skill
•Valid
ience i sic compute
r
e
p
x
e
• Ba
year
out
• Carry
6
nctiiongn, and associated
u
F
c
i
s
Ba tting, burn
g, cu
ted
weldin ities as direc
activ
• Synthetic (man-made) fibers that can be
made into curtains or carpets
• Soapless detergents, used to wash clothes
and in dishwashers
• Wax, used to make candles, milk cartons,
and polishes
• Medicines that are manufactured from
chemicals
• Food additives that increase the shelf-life
of canned foods
• Synthetic rubber, used for automobile tires
and as soles of sneakers and shoes
• Bandages and other medical equipment
that use plastic made from oil
• Plastic bottles
• Polyester used to make clothing
• Compact discs and cassette tapes
• Paints
• Fertilizer
• Photographic film
• Ink
• Crayons
• Bubble gum
• Deodorant
• Eyeglasses
• Heart valves
2. The limited availability of oil and natural gas, along with their
importance in our lives, is the topic of many serious discussions in this
country. Sometimes, people have deep disagreements over the policies
government should have in place to provide the energy we need. Look
in the Houston Chronicle for an article that suggests steps that should be
taken to solve the energy problem. You might find opinions mentioned
in an editorial or letter to the editor or in an interview or article in
the Business section. Read and summarize the article. Then, think
about the solution that has been proposed. Do you think it will solve
the problem? Have you read or heard about a better solution? If so,
compare and contrast the two.
History of Petroleum
and Natural Gas
Ancient Times
Oil and natural gas were used thousands of years ago by ancient civilizations. The Mesopotamians and
Babylonians used asphalt (a solid form of petroleum) to pave paths and caulk boats. The Egyptians used mummia
(a semi-solid form of petroleum) to prepare their mummies for burial. The ancient Chinese used natural gas to
light their imperial palaces. At that time, oil or gas was present only when it oozed to the surface. There was no
method for finding and extracting these products from under the ground or under the ocean floor.
Early America
Workers in early Pennsylvania used drilling equipment to drill brine wells, from which salt for food preservation
and flavoring could be obtained. Remember that there was no refrigeration, so salt was important to preserve meat
and fish. Workers would occasionally find oil instead, to their great annoyance. No one had any use for oil at the
time, and striking oil would mean wasted time and work.
In 1859, Edwin Drake decided to drill an oil well, using the steam-powered equipment that was then being
used to drill brine wells. By this time, oil was being used to make kerosene, an alternative to whale oil, which was
difficult to obtain. Kerosene could be used for lighting and for lubrication. Drake created a drilling rig that could
reach 70 feet into the ground, a major accomplishment at that time. In August, 1859, in an area in northwestern
Pennsylvania near Titusville, Drake discovered oil, and the Petroleum Age was born.
Offshore Drilling Begins
In 1897, the first offshore well in the United States was drilled off the shore of California. The citizens of
Summerland, California, were fascinated to find springs from which oil and natural gas seeped above ground. H.
L. Williams, one of Summerland’s residents, drilled several oil wells near these springs. As they searched for
additional oil, workers noticed that the closer they got to the ocean, the more oil they found. They concluded that
there was likely to be oil under the ocean.
Williams decided to build a long pier (300 feet) out over the ocean. Then he erected a drilling rig on it. This
well was successful, and more offshore wells followed Williams’ lead.
The Petroleum Age was born when Edwin
Drake discovered oil in Oil Creek, located in
northwestern Pennsylvania.  This is a photo
of one of the early land-based oil rigs in 19th
century Pennsylvania.
By the 1860’s, there were
numerous oil wells in
Pennsylvania such as these in
Funkville.
Workers on early Texas oil
derricks endured long hours and
strenuous tasks. Photo courtesy
of Texas Energy Museum.
7
Texas and the Gulf Coast
No state in the country was as deeply affected by the discovery of oil as was Texas. In
the 1890’s, mining engineers became convinced that petroleum had gathered near the giant salt
dome known as Spindletop, near Beaumont. Early efforts to drill failed because of underground
quicksands. In January, 1901, a new invention, the rotary bit, was able to penetrate the quicksands,
and this one well—the “Discovery Well” at Spindletop—shocked the world with its incredible oil
production. Suddenly, this massive supply of oil shifted the main use of petroleum away from
lighting fuel. With so much oil available, new uses arose rapidly. Locomotives were converted to
burn oil, factories were built to produce chemicals and plastics, refineries
were constructed, and workers were drawn to the cities as the
urbanization of Texas was hastened by the discovery of
oil in nearly every county in the state.
Car
eer O
ppo
Chi
Prer
ef E
equ
rtun
lectr
ician
ity
• El
ectr
• Kn ical Eng
owle
inee
for e dge of ring deg
al
lectr
r
ical l techni ee or hi
cal c
g
oper
alcu h schoo
• Ba
atio
n
la
sic c
l
omp of the d tions re diplom
a
uter
rillin
quir
ed
skill
g un
• Re
s
i
t
sp
repa onsible
ir of
f
all e or the in
lectr
s
ical tallatio
n
equi
pme , maint
e
nt o
n bo nance,
a
ard
the r nd
ig
isite
Basi
c Fu
s/Q
uali
fica
tion
s
ncti
on
TEKS
When Lucas No. 1, better known as the Lucas Gusher, came in on January
10, 1901, it was the lone well at Spindletop near Beaumont, Texas. Credit:
Trost, Photographer. Photo courtesy of the Texas Energy Museum.
Science:
Social Studies:
5.3D
6.3D
7.3D
8.3D
4.20B
7.7B
7.12B,C
7.13C
7.20C,D,E
Houston Chronicle Activities
1. Find Beaumont on the large map on the WeatherChronicle of the
Houston Chronicle. Using the same method of reasoning used by
the residents of Summerland, California, in 1897, what conclusions
might you draw about the presence of oil in the Gulf of Mexico?
2. What kinds of industries would you expect to find from Houston east
to Beaumont? Looking at the map, in which cities would you expect
to find them?
8
Oil derricks filled
the landscape at
Spindletop when H.
L. Edgerton shot this
photograph on April
23, 1903. Credit:
Photo courtesy of the
Texas Energy Museum.
3. Look in the Houston Chronicle Business section for the “Houston
150.” Estimate the number of those companies that are related to the
petroleum industry. How does this list of the largest companies based
in Houston help to explain the urbanization of this area of the state?
Offshore Drilling
As the world’s appetite for oil and natural gas increases, finding additional sources has
become vital in supplying sufficient energy. Finding oil is no longer as easy as drilling wells
near areas where oil has seeped to the surface. Since we know that hydrocarbons can be
trapped beneath the ocean’s floor, offshore drilling has become increasingly important in meeting those needs. As new technology and methods have been developed, some of the many
unique challenges faced by offshore drillers have been overcome. Today, over one-fourth of
the crude oil produced in the United States, as well as one-fourth of U. S. gas production, is
produced offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Drilling rigs can now operate in water that is up to
2 miles deep, and they operate in the waters of many nations around the world.
First offshore drilling 
rig to drill “out of sight
of land” in the Gulf of
Mexico.  Photo credit: 
Kerr-McGee Corporation.
Finding the Hydrocarbons
Drilling a well under the ocean floor requires a tremendous amount of money, equipment,
labor, and time. The petroleum geologist uses science and technology to determine whether
there might be hydrocarbons in a particular area so that there is a reasonable chance that the
search will be successful. He uses his expert knowledge of the properties of different types of
rocks. He knows, for example, that some rocks are denser than others and that different rocks
have different magnetic properties. He might use a magnetic survey to find rocks that attract
a magnet, which might indicate the presence of hydrocarbons. He might use gravity surveys,
which will give an indication of the density of the rocks and might indicate the presence of a
trap. He uses his knowledge of sound waves (wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and pitch),
and the sophisticated technology that records them, to conduct seismic surveys to indicate
the possible presence of hydrocarbons. The seismic survey is the petroleum geologist’s most
effective tool. Seismic surveys indicate the depth and orientation of rock formations and help
the geologist identify possible traps that may contain oil or gas.
When a seismic survey is conducted, a ship at sea tows a seismic source behind it. Air
guns towed behind the ship blast compressed air, producing strong waves of sound energy.
These sound waves bounce off the rock layers beneath the ocean floor, and the reflected sound
waves are picked up by listening devices that are located on a streamer that is towed behind
the ship. This method highlights one of the challenges faced by the offshore driller. When
seismic surveys are conducted on land, dynamite is often used to produce the sound energy.
Since dynamite could impact the marine environment, offshore seismic surveys use air guns
instead.
The data retrieved by the seismic survey is then processed by computers which produce
a visual image of the information. While the computer images may be impossible for most
of us to interpret, the petroleum geologist can “read” them and determine whether the layers of rock beneath the earth might include deposits of oil or gas. In the 1990’s 3D seismic
became available, and three-dimensional images of rock formations deep beneath the ocean
floor can be created to further assist the geologist. Despite all the information the petroleum
geologist accumulates, there is only one way to be absolutely sure that rocks contain oil or
gas—actually drilling the well.
In addition to accumulating the data, the surveyors need to record the location where
they found it so that the well can be drilled in the most promising area. The survey ship often
uses GPS (global positioning satellite) technology to record the latitude and longitude of each
batch of data. GPS is precise to within a foot.
When conducting a seismic
survey to find hydrocarbons,
a seismic ship tows air guns
that produce strong sound
waves. Photo credit:
Schlumberger.
A seismic vessel
tows an energy
source and a
hydrophone to
record reflections
from geologic
formations. Graphic
courtesy of S.E.G.
Career O
pportuni
ty
Geophys
Prerequi
icist
sites/Qu
alificatio
• Minimu
m of MS
c Degr
with a str
ong Earth ee in Geophysics
MSc in G
of Physic
science k
eology w
s
nowledge
it
h
b
G
ase or
e
ophysics
• Strong
work exp
team and
e
commun
ication sk rience.
ills.
ns
Basic Fun
ction
• Analyze
geophy
explorati
on or pro sical data from eit
duction in
he
order to e r
blocks or
valuate
well site
locations
9
Use the Houston Chronicle to help you play this game. Use one die (half a pair of dice).
You will also need game pieces for each player.
To play, roll the die, and move your game piece that many spaces. If you find the article or picture
asked for in the space, move ahead the number of bonus spaces indicated by Yes? If you don’t find
the information, stay where you landed. There are two blank boxes in the game. If you land on one
of them, stay there until your next turn.
Then let the next player roll the die. (You get one move per roll, plus the bonus
spaces you earn.) The first person to reach the finish box with an exact
roll wins.
t
Star
Find a picture of a
living creature that
contains carbon.
Yes? Move ahead
4 spaces
Find the price
of an oil
company’s stock.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces.
Find a news
story that mentions
jet fuel.
Yes? Move ahead
4 spaces.
Find an article or ad
that refers to
propane.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces
Find a picture of
something
made of plastic.
Yes? Move ahead
2 spaces
Find a picture
of something
made with
synthetic rubber.
Yes? Move ahead
4 spaces
10
Find news that
involves
offshore drilling.
Yes? Move ahead
4 spaces
Find an article that
mentions diesel fuel.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces
Find news that
involves methane.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces
Find a picture of
clothing made from
polyester.
Yes? Move ahead
2 spaces
Find a number
showing a
percentage.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces.
Find an article or ad
that involves kerosene.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces
Find an article or ad
about gasoline.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces
Find news that
mentions an
oil tanker.
Yes? Move ahead
2 spaces
Find a news
story that
refers to home
heating oil.
Yes? Move ahead
2 spaces
Find an article
that mentions a
natural gas pipeline.
Yes? Move ahead
3 spaces
Find an article or ad about
a medical device made
from petroleum.
Yes? Move ahead
2 spaces
Find news about weather
that might affect
oil production.
Yes? Move ahead
1 space
Finish
11
TEKS
Science:
5.3D
6.3D
7.3D
8.3D
8.8C
Computer data is analyzed to find hydrocarbons located beneath the
layers of rock on the ocean floor. Photo credit: Phoenix International
at www.phnx-international.com.
ES 9C
EC 10C
EC 11B,D
EnvSci 5G
EnvSci 7F
Houston Chronicle Activities
1. The use of seismic surveys to determine whether gas and oil might be found in
a particular area is an example of making a prediction from indirect evidence.
Sometimes direct evidence is not available or would be too difficult to obtain
before drawing an inference. Look through the Houston Chronicle for an
article about a new medical discovery. Read the article and explain whether the
conclusions drawn are based on direct or indirect evidence. If the inferences are
based on indirect evidence, explain why direct evidence has not been used to
support the conclusions.
Petroleum geologists analyze seismic data to locate oil and gas
deposits. Photo credit: The American Association of Petroleum
Geologists at www.aapg.org.
2. Advances in technology have led to improvements in the way oil and gas deposits
are located. One example is 3D seismic. Nearly every day, we read about improved
technology that changes the way work is done. Look through the Houston
Chronicle for articles that predict changes in the workplace that will come about
because of new technology. Describe the technology and tell how it will change
the way work is accomplished.
Career O
pportun
Offsho
ity
re Insta
Although seismic surveys and computer data provide much information
to the petroleum geologists, the only sure way to determine that rocks
contain oil or gas is to drill deep into the rock layers. Photo credit:
Society of Exporation Geophysicists.
Obtaining Drilling Rights
Once the drilling company has determined that oil or natural gas is likely to lie in a
particular area off a coast, it must purchase a lease from the government of the nation that
controls those waters, giving it the right to drill. For example, if a section of the Gulf of
Mexico shows promise, the lease must be purchased from the United States Department of
the Interior. Since the right to drill does not guarantee that any hydrocarbons will be found,
the surveys conducted by the petroleum geologist take place before the company makes
its bid. Public sales for these leases take place about twice a year, and the leases generally
expire in five to ten years.
12
llation
Prerequ
isites/Q
Manage
r
ualifica
•H
• Know igh school dipl
ledge of
oma or
for the s all technical c equivalent
alculatio
afe oper
ati
ns
• Basic on of the drillin required
comput
er skills g unit
Basic Fu
tions
• Manag
e th
optimum e manpower a
nd resou
perform
rces
an
carried
out in a ce so as to ensu of the rig to ac
safe, effi
hieve
re the w
el
cient, an
d produ l program is
ctive ma
nner
nction
Choosing A Rig
T. F. Rowland received a patent for his offshore rig design in 1869. It was designed to operate
in very shallow water, but its anchored four-legged tower looked very much like today’s offshore
rigs. The familiar triangular shape offers more strength than either a rectangular or square design
would provide, so the appearance of the rig has not changed much over the years.
In 1947 the first offshore well, located completely out of sight of land, was drilled in the
Gulf of Mexico. Today, drilling often takes place hundreds of miles away from land and in water
that is sometimes thousands of feet deep. New technology and creative approaches to problemsolving are evident in the design of today’s offshore drilling rigs and platforms.
When drilling takes place on land, the ground provides a stable platform from which to
drill. The ground doesn’t move from side to side or up and down. The offshore rig, on the
other hand, will often have to withstand wind and waves. Drillers will have to use innovative
technology to prevent motion that interrupts precise drilling.
The type of drilling rig used will depend on the depth of the water and the purpose of the
drilling. Moveable rigs are generally used for exploration (drilling exploratory or wildcat wells)
because they are mobile, less expensive, and can be used repeatedly in different locations. Once
a large deposit of oil or gas has been located, a permanent production platform is generally built,
from which well completion, extraction of the hydrocarbons, and production can take place.
A drilling barge is a type of moveable rig that is used in shallow, inland water. The drilling
barge is not able to survive the water movement that is common in an open-water setting. Jack-
up rigs can be towed to the drilling site, like a drilling barge. However, once they reach the site,
three or four legs are lowered until they rest on the ocean floor. Like the drilling barge, the jackup rig is not suitable for very deep water, since its legs can only extend so far. Submersible rigs,
like Jack-Up rigs, come into contact with the ocean floor and are, therefore, also more suitable
for shallow water.
Semisubmersible rigs are widely used because they combine the advantages of submersible
rigs with the ability to drill in deep water. Semisubmersible rigs do not come into contact with
the ocean floor; the rig is only partially submerged, floating above the drill site, and is held
in place by huge anchors that weigh many tons each. These rigs provide stability even in the
turbulence common to offshore sites, and they can be used in deep water.
Drillships have a drilling platform and derrick located in the middle of the ship’s deck. They
also have a hole that goes from top to bottom, through the entire ship including the hull, through
which drilling can take place. They are especially useful in deep water, and are kept stationary
by use of a ‘dynamic positioning’ system. The ship uses satellite-positioning technology, along
with sensors that are located on the drilling template, to make sure that the ship remains directly
above the drill site. Motors that can move the ship in any direction are placed on the underside
of the ship’s hull. The ship’s computer system activates the necessary motors to compensate for
any side to side or up and down motion that might interfere with the drilling.
This sixth-generation
semisubmersible rig,
Transocean Barents,
,
floats above the
actual drill site and
gigantic anchors
hold it in place.
Photo credit:
Transocean Inc.
Subsea Viking, is
an offshore support
vessel that serves
many purposes.
Photo credit:
Eidesvik at
www.eidesvik.no
Deepwater Pathfinder is a dynamically-positioned drillship. Photo credit: Transocean Inc.
13
Production Platforms
Once the exploratory well indicates that a large deposit of hydrocarbons is available at the site,
a permanent platform is built to extract the oil and natural gas and process the fluids. Different
areas of the world have different needs that must be met, and the production system for each
field is constructed to meet its requirements. For example, the Mars Tension-leg Platform,
located about 130 miles southeast of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, was built to withstand
hurricane force waves of 71 feet and winds of 140 mph. Platforms located in the North Sea
must be able to withstand wind speeds of over 90 mph and waves over 60 feet high because of
almost constant harsh weather in that area. In the arctic, platforms must be able to withstand
battering by pack ice that surrounds them for most of the year.
These platforms are among the largest man-made structures in the world; and because
of their size, they are generally constructed near land in pieces and transported to their
• Bac
intended destination where they are assembled. Different types of production platforms
he
•
Stron lor’s Degr
are needed for different depths of water. The platform may be constructed from rigid
g com
e
puter e in engin
steel or concrete; or, if the water is very deep, a compliant steel structure, which yields
ee
and te
chnic ring
to water and wind movements, might be used. The platform will be home to many
al ski
lls
dozens of workers, providing meals, sleeping quarters, and leisure-time activities.
• Petr
ole
Helicopters that transfer workers must be able to land on the platform, so a heliport
speci
alists um Engin
and the refueling stations they require must be available. Necessary supplies are
of the to unders eers work
tan
ro
w
brought to the platform where they must be unloaded and stored. Electricity must
metho ck contain d the geol ith geolog
ogic f
ing th
i
ds to
be produced from diesel fuel, which drives generators. All waste products must be
orma sts and oth
e rese
be us
opera
t
e
er
r
i
d
o
v
,
n and
t
o
processed. All of the equipment for drilling, including high-technology equipment
and m
ir, det
achie ions. The
prope
e
o
r
n
m
v
i
y
t
e
i
o
ne
d
rt
the m
r
for communication and checking the drilling process, must be readily available.
aximu esign equi drilling an the drillin ies
pmen
m pro
d
g
p
rod
ta
fitabl
e reco nd proces uction
se
very o
f oil a s to
nd ga
s.
Caree
r Opp
Petro
leum
Prere
quisi
ortun
Engin
tes/Q
Basic
ity
eer
ualifi
cation
s
Funct
ion
TEKS
Science:
5.3D
6.3D
6.7A
7.3D
8.3D
Houston Chronicle Activity
Brent Spar
Helideck
Accommodation
10m
28m
16m
Column
Chain fenders
Buoyancy tanks
Anchor chains
Oil storage tanks
14
Ballast
Source: Shell Oil Company
An exhibit at the Ocean Star
Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum
shows Dominion E&P’s Devils
Tower Spar. Its chain tethers would
reach high into the sky and spread
across downtown if anchored over
Houston. Photo credit: Offshore
Energy Center.
Despite the fact that offshore drilling rigs and platforms are
built to withstand harsh weather conditions, severe weather
can interrupt production and cause problems for the entire U.S.
economy. When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast,
there were fears that gasoline might be difficult to obtain for
several weeks, and prices temporarily shot up. The price of
gasoline fluctuates with weather events and other news events.
Look in the Business section of the Houston Chronicle for the
“Market Summary” page, and locate “Futures,” in the upper righthand corner of the page. Find this month’s price for unleaded
gasoline. Record this price for ten days and explain any large
changes in the price that are due to weather problems or other
changes that are described in news articles in the Chronicle.
Main
body
93m
The Brent Spar was capable of storing vast amounts of petroleum. Convert the Metric
measurements in this diagram to standard measurements. Can you think of other structures
that are about the same size of the Brent Spar? Credit: Shell Oil Company.
Drilling Process
Before drilling underwater begins, a drilling template is cemented to the
ocean floor and attached to the drilling platform above with cables. The precise location of the drilling template is determined through the use of satellite
and GPS technology to make sure that the drilling takes place in the exact spot
chosen by the petroleum geologist. The template guides the drilling, which
otherwise could be affected by movement in the platform due to wind and
water currents.
A drill bit, specially designed and constructed from high-strength materials, with teeth that can cut through the rock below the ocean floor, begins
the job of drilling the well. There are dozens of different drill bit types, each
designed to work best on the various types of rock that may be encountered.
As the well gets deeper, additional sections of pipe are connected at the top of
the hole. Pressure must be exerted on the drill bit for it to continue drilling,
so drill collars are added or removed, depending on the weight that must be
applied to the drill bit.
In order to make sure that the hole doesn’t cave in, casing (large-diameter
pipe) is used to line the hole. As drilling progresses to predetermined depths,
the drill bit is removed, and casing is put into the hole where cement is then
used to keep the casing in place. Each time the drill bit is removed, all of the
drill pipe that extends from the surface to the drill bit must be removed. This
combination can weigh many thousands of pounds, and this is where the hoisting equipment comes into play. The most visible part of the hoisting equipment is the derrick, the tall tower-like structure that is often used to represent
an oil well. The derrick serves as a support for the cables and pulleys that raise
or lower equipment into or out of the well. A blowout preventer and drilling
mud are used to control “kicks,” sudden increases in pressure.
In addition to preventing the hole from collapsing, the casing also allows
the drilling mud to travel down to the bottom of the hole, where it will pick
up rock cuttings (small pieces of rock that have been removed by the drill bit)
and carry these cuttings to the surface. The drilling mud is a mixture of clay,
chemicals, and water that serves three purposes: it lubricates the bit, preventing
it from getting too hot; it takes the cuttings out of the hole, clearing the way
for the drill bit; and it enables the petroleum geologist to continue his research
of the site. The formula used for the drilling mud changes according to the
amount of pressure the crew wants it to exert.
The petroleum geologist continues to accumulate information that will
help him or her to determine whether the well should be ‘completed’ (whether the crew should try to produce oil or gas from it) or whether it should be
‘plugged’ (abandoned). He/she will carefully look for clues in the cuttings
brought to the surface by the drilling mud and will enter his findings in a Mud
Log. He/she looks at the cuttings under a microscope to figure out what the
rock types are. He/she will record whether they are sandstone, limestone, or
shale; whether they have porosity; and whether any oil can be seen in them.
If the geologist sees any oil in the well samples, he/she will note this fact on
the Mud Log, which is updated every day. Finding oil in the well samples is
important and positive information.
Floor hands, roughnecks and derrickmen are the workers who replace drill bits when
changing the size of a hole or when the bits are worn out. Photo credit: Halliburton.
Well Completion and Production
If the exploratory well and the appraisal wells that follow it produce promising results, the next phase begins. A permanent platform or floating platform
in very deep water is constructed, and development wells are drilled. To complete a well, the casing and cement that are preventing the fluids from entering
the well and reaching the surface must be perforated. This is accomplished
with a perforating gun that penetrates the casing and cement, allowing the reservoir fluids to enter the well. The fluids that reach the surface might include
oil and gas, along with water and sediment. The sediment and water must be
removed, and the oil and gas must be separated because each is handled differently. Equipment that uses what scientists know about the properties of the
well fluids separates the water, gas, and oil. The water, because it is heavier
than either oil or gas, will sink to the bottom and can then be discarded; oil,
because it is heavier than gas, will be found in the middle; and gas, because it
is lightest, will rise to the top. If the water is bound to the oil in an emulsion, it
must be treated before it is discarded, in order to preserve the marine environment. There are many different pieces of machinery (separators, pumps, and
pipes) to separate and treat the fluids to prepare them for transportation.
Starting the hole is called “spudding in.” “ Tripping in” is the term for changing the bit and
going back in the hole to drill the new section. Photo credit: Halliburton.
15
Underwater Repairs
Throughout the process of extracting the hydrocarbons, repairs must be made or equipment
must be replaced as it breaks or wears out. ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) are used for
many purposes. They carry cameras, so the crew can see what is going on under the water, and
they have robotic arms that can be operated by the pilot (the person who controls the ROV from
the rig). They can be used to inspect pipelines and oil rigs, as well as to do bottom surveys.
However, human beings are sometimes needed to make complex repairs or to make decisions that an ROV cannot make, and divers are used to make these repairs. If you have ever
seen astronauts work on the outsides of their space capsules, you can see that the environment in
which the work must take place will have an effect on the difficulty of accomplishing the task.
For this reason, the diver must have solid construction knowledge, as well as excellent diving
skills. Performing the task underwater presents additional difficulties: the diver must work in
cold temperatures, visibility is poor, and he is floating.
Above all, the SCUBA diver must be aware of Boyle’s Law, something he might have
learned in science class when he went to school. If he forgets Boyle’s Law, he might not survive
his dive. Why? Let’s examine his dive and its relationship to Boyle’s Law.
With a constant temperature, the volume of a fixed amount of gas is inversely proportional
to the total amount of pressure applied. This means that the volume rises as the amount of pressure decreases, and the volume decreases as the amount of pressure increases. If the pressure
doubles, the volume of the gas shrinks to half its original size; if the pressure triples, the volume
of the gas shrinks to one-third of its original size, etc. As a diver goes deeper and deeper into the
water, the pressure increases fairly quickly because water is much denser than air. At a depth of
33 feet, pressure doubles. The air in the diver’s lungs shrinks to half its original size, so the diver’s lungs will now contain twice as much air. At a depth of 99 feet, the diver’s lungs will hold
4 times as much air as the lungs contain at the surface. Now picture what happens to the diver’s
lungs as he begins to surface. As he rises, the pressure decreases, and the volume increases. A
diver must breathe continuously to avoid holding in the expanding air that can burst the lining of
the lungs. The underwater construction worker must always remember science.
Career
Opport
Prerequ
Pumph
isites/Q
and
• High s
unity
ualifica
chool d
iploma
Basic F
tions
or equiv
alent
unction
• Work
in pum
mud pu p room and op
mp and
e
• Maint
mud mi rate and maint
ain reco
ai
x
i
fluid an rds and logs of ng equipment n
d the va
rying pr additives to the
operties
d
of the m rilling
ud
ty
i
n
u
t
r
o
r Opp
Caree
and
kh
Derric
ons
i
t
a
c
i
f
i
/Qual alent
isitelsdiploma or equlsiv
u
q
e
r
e
Pr igh schoo puter skil
•H
• Basic
com
ctioinng in the derrick
n
u
F
c
i
rk
fluid
Bas
hile wo
rilling
oods w aintaining d
bular g
u
t
s
dm
e
l
d
ting an ixing system
a
• Han
r
e
p
o
n
m
i
t
d
s
n
ga
• Assi
pumpin
TEKS
Science:
Chem 9A
Phys 6E
Houston Chronicle Activities
1. ROVs have been used in many ways, such as locating sunken ships, repairing bridges,
exploring the ocean floor, or laying cable in the ocean. They are used by the military,
by scientists, and by various industries. Look through the Houston Chronicle for
mention of a person who has used Remotely Operated Vehicles to film underwater or
to locate something underwater. Describe the way in which the ROV was used, and
explain why it was used instead of a diver.
A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is launched into the ocean and controlled by a
pilot on a rig. The ROV can be used to inspect as well as repair. Photo credit: Phoenix
International at www.phnx-international.com.
16
2. Some people use SCUBA as a recreational activity, and some eventually use this
experience to help them with their jobs. Look in the Travel section of the Houston
Chronicle for an article that describes SCUBA. Where might you go to take lessons?
Look in the news sections of the Chronicle for mention of SCUBA used as part of a job.
For example, many police forces use SCUBA-trained personnel for recovery in lakes,
streams, and bayous. Summarize the article. Tell how the divers were important to the
police or other organization.
Offshore Transportation
Once the oil and gas have been separated, they are transported to shore either
in a pipeline or in a tanker ship. Building an offshore pipeline often requires digging a trench on the ocean floor and coating the pipeline with concrete to prevent
corrosion and damage to the pipeline. Special barges, on which the pipe is welded
and inspected, are used to join the sections of pipe and carefully lay them into the
ocean. Pipelines are often miles long, and the entire pipeline is often buried beneath
the ocean floor when the job is completed to keep the pipeline from being damaged. Crude oil tankers are used to move oil to the onshore refinery, where it will
be processed for use.
Safety
Over the years since offshore drilling was first introduced, improved information-gathering, more
advanced equipment, intensive training, and better methods and procedures have combined to increase
the safety of the workers and the environment. The National Hurricane Center provides an important
service to the crews whose lives can be severely affected by strong winds and high waves. Its Tropical
Prediction Center continues to improve its forecasting capabilities and accuracy, and warns workers in
the offshore gas and oil industry of approaching storms. Workers can implement their protection and
evacuation procedures in a timely manner to safeguard lives and equipment.
Structural engineers have conducted extensive studies on wind, waves, and currents in the Gulf of
Mexico to develop environmental design criteria that will enable platforms to withstand the worst blows
that a storm or hurricane in coastal regions might produce. Better design increases worker safety.
Thousands of offshore oil workers, helicopter pilots, barge and dock personnel, and others have
participated in Offshore Safety and Survival Training; and improvements in workvests, life jackets,
and inflatable life vests have been made. Everyone who works on a rig receives intensive safety training before he begins his job. Workers are trained in water survival, fire safety, and first aid. Organizations such as the IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) provide safety training and
education materials on topics such as drilling operations, rig repair and maintenance, well completion,
and material handling to remind workers of the correct procedures they should follow. Improvements
in clothing, shoes, etc. help keep the worker safe. Emergency instructions for all personnel on board
the rig are posted with emergency procedures, and regular drills are conducted to make sure that all
workers are ready for any emergency. Escape capsules (life boats) are available to take personnel away
from the rig if necessary.
An oil tanker ship connects to an oil rig with an undersea pipe.  The huge
ship fills up with crude oil, then carries its cargo to an on-shore refinery
that processes the oil for many uses.  Photo credit:  Nippon Zaidan at
www.nippon.zaidan.info.
Converting Offshore Rigs to Reefs
Environment
In only nine days, the ‘Discovery Well’ at Spindletop blew out at least eight hundred thousand barrels
of oil before it could be capped. While this was exciting for those who had staked their fortunes on the
success of the site, it was not good for the environment. To prevent blowouts today, blowout preventers
are mounted on the wellhead to control the pressure of the fluid. Workers are carefully trained to recognize
impending blowouts and to use the tools to prevent them. Large, quick-closing valves are used to prevent
the well from blowing out, providing protection for the marine environment. Accidental blowouts are now
extremely rare, and many other advances make offshore drilling increasingly friendly to the environment.
The offshore industry has waste reduction and handling procedures that are designed to protect the
environment. No waste, other than ground food waste, is ever disposed of in the ocean. All other waste is
brought ashore for recycling or environmentally-safe disposal. The platform or rig is equipped with sewage and wastewater treatment systems.
Oil tankers are now equipped with double hulls to prevent oil spillage from occurring. Horizontal
drilling enables drillers to extract more oil and gas with fewer wells, thus reducing the impact on the environment. Natural gas, which used to be burned off into the air, is now easily and safely transported over
many miles and used to heat homes and power industries.
One way the offshore drillers help the environment is by making ROV’s accessible to scientists. One
example is SERPENT (Scientific and Environmental ROV Partnership using Existing INdustrial Technology). They share deep ocean research with educators around the world. Thanks to their teamwork, we now
know much more about creatures from the abyss such as the giant squid.
Another very successful effort to help the environment is the Rigs-to-Reefs program, which converts
offshore platforms that are now obsolete into artificial reefs to support wildlife. These platforms, off the
shores of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, are toppled and left on the sea floor to become artificial reefs
that attract fish and other marine life. Within six months to a year after a platform is toppled, it becomes
covered with barnacles and all sorts of sea creatures. There is some evidence that certain types of fish have
reversed a decline in numbers partly because of the artificial reefs.
The partial removal platform reefing method.
The tow-and place platform reefing method.
SERPENT Project Scientists in
ROVs study sea life. Photo credit:
SERPENT.
The topple-in-place
platform reefing
method.
17
Offshore platforms might also benefit migrating birds by giving the exhausted
ones a chance to rest before continuing their long journey. The Monarch Butterfly
also has benefited from the use of the rigs as a resting place. Offshore workers gather
information and assist wildlife; biologists and ecologists conduct observations on
offshore platforms, whose locations are advantageous for studies conducted by these
scientists.
The offshore drilling industry uses these, and many other advances in technology
and procedures, to keep its promise to extract gas and oil “resources in a safe and
environmentally responsible way.”
As additional technology is developed over the next few years, we can expect that
offshore drilling will continue to help us find the energy we need, while protecting the
marine environment.
TEKS
Science:
Social Studies:
5.9A,C
6.12E
8.11C,D
EnvSci 5F
4.5A
4.9A
4.12B
4.20B
7.20C,D
Houston Chronicle Activities
The Rigs-to-Reefs
program creates artificial
reefs with outdated
offshore platforms,
providing attractive and
safe habitats for sea
creatures. Photo credit:
Offshore Energy Center.
1. Creative use of old offshore platforms adds to the environment. This is the
type of idea that helps both industry and the environment ‘win.’ From time
to time, someone comes up with an idea that uses something in a new and
different way. Look through the Houston Chronicle for a creative use of an
item that might otherwise be bad for the environment. Describe how this new
use adds to the environment.
2. There are frequent discussions about expanding drilling to areas which
are known to contain hydrocarbons that are needed by Americans.
Environmentalists sometimes argue that drilling will have a negative impact
on the environment, while others point out that the energy is needed for
Americans to retain our standard of living. Read an article in the Houston
Chronicle in which additional drilling, and its potential impact, is discussed.
Explain the arguments for and against increased drilling. In light of the
advances the offshore drilling industry has made in protecting the environment,
do you think the argument against drilling is justified?
S
E
H
M
E
T
T
N
I
S
Y
S
S
P
E
I
N
G
M
U
D
A
D
M
N
L
I
E
E
T
O
P
C
O T
O
H
P
E
T
G
R
E
O
O
L
S
L
E
H
O
U
A
L
E
M
G
I
S
T
A
M
Answers to crossword puzzle on page 19
G
N
I
S
A
C
nction
I
tions
• Install
and
operated troubleshoot
hydra
equ
• Maint ipment for all m ulic fixtures an
ain and
d hydra
echanic
repair h
ulica
al syste
to inclu
y
m
d
r
s
a
u
on boar lly
l
ic syste
de: lifes
d ri
m
a
jacking
systems ving, deck mac s and equipme g
n
, electri
h
t
i
n
ery, c
cal, and
drilling ranes,
equipm
ent
18
L
Basic Fu
L
ualifica
chool d
iploma
or equ
•
B
as
• Minim
um of th ic computer sk ivalent
ills
ree year
mechan
se
ic in dri
lling, m xperience as h
y
arine, o
r related draulic
industry
I
isites/Q
• High s
R
nician
D
Prerequ
lic Tech
Hydrau
ity
S
pportun
Career O
Crossword Puzzle
Directions: Use the clues below to fill
in the correct answers to the puzzle.
ACROSS
1. WORD THAT MEANS “ROCK OIL”
4. SCIENTISTS WHO STUDY ROCKS
5. A SEDIMENTARY ROCK THAT ACTS AS A TRAP ROCK
6. THE TYPE OF SURVEY THAT USES SOUND WAVES
7. THE GUSHER DISCOVERED IN TEXAS IN 1901
8. NATURAL GAS IS MOSTLY _________ GAS
9. THIS MIXTURE BRINGS THE ROCK CUTTINGS
TO THE SURFACE
DOWN
1.
2.
3.
PROCESS DURING WHICH PLANTS USE WATER,
CARBON DIOXIDE, AND SUNLIGHT TO HELP THEM GROW
LIQUID, MELTED ROCK
SPECIAL PIPE THAT IS USED TO LINE THE HOLE TO
PREVENT IT FROM COLLAPSING
Figure It Out!
You read earlier in this guide that in a recent year, Americans used 20 million barrels of petroleum each day.
Let’s do some math to help us understand how much we all depend on energy each day.
1. How many barrels of petroleum do Americans use in one month? (Use 1 month = 30 days).
Match Up
Draw a line from each term in Column A to its description in Column B.
COLUMN A
COLUMN B
2. There are approximately 300 million people in the United States. How many barrels of petroleum does
each person use in one month?
1. SEDIMENTARY ROCK
A.MOVEABLE DRILLING RIG USED IN
SHALLOW WATER
3. Find the price for a barrel of crude oil (dollars per bbl.) in the “Futures” column of the “Market Summary”
page of the Houston Chronicle. How much is the average energy cost for each person in the U.S. each month?
2. DRILLING BARGE
B.MOVEABLE DRILLING RIG HELD IN
PLACE BY LARGE ANCHORS
4. There are 42 gallons (gal.) in a barrel (bbl.) How many gallons of petroleum do you use each month?
How many people in your family?
How many gallons of petroleum does your family use each month?
3. H.L. WILLIAMS
C.ROCK FORMED FROM MAGMA
5. There are 4 quarts (qt.) in one gallon. Suppose that petroleum was delivered to your family in quart bottles
each month. How many quart bottles of petroleum would be delivered to your home if each person used the
average amount?
4. DRILLSHIPS
D. ROCK FORMED FROM HEAT OR
PRESSURE OR BOTH
Did You Understand the Science?
The diaphragm is a muscle that is located just below the lungs. When we inhale, the diaphragm moves downward, giving the lungs increased volume. The increased volume decreases the pressure inside the lungs, forcing air into the lungs. When we exhale, the diaphragm moves upward, decreasing the volume of the lungs.
This increases the pressure inside the lungs, forcing gases out of the lungs. Explain how a deep-sea diver uses
this information to protect his lungs.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. SEMISUBMERSIBLE RIGS
E. ROCK FORMED FROM SAND, SILT, OR MUD
F. DRILLED THE FIRST OIL WELL IN 1859
6. T.F. ROWLAND
7. IGNEOUS ROCK
8. EDWIN DRAKE
9. METAMORPHIC ROCK
10. JACK-UP RIGS
G. DRILLED THE FIRST OFFSHORE OIL
WELL IN 1897
H. PATENTED HIS OFFSHORE RIG
DESIGN IN 1869
I. MOVEABLE DRILLING RIG WITH LEGS
THAT REST ON THE OCEAN FLOOR
J. MOVEABLE DRILLING RIG THAT USES
DYNAMIC POSITIONING SYSTEM TO
HOLD IT IN PLACE
19
To learn more about offshore
energy, visit the Ocean Star Offshore
Drilling Rig and Museum.
Located in Galveston at Pier 19, visitors board and
tour this completely refurbished jackup drilling rig
to experience day-to-day operations of offshore
drilling and production, marine transportation,
environmental protection, construction and
pipelining through three decks of videos, equipment
exhibits and interactive displays.
Workshops and programs specifically designed for
teachers are also available.
Open Daily
10 AM to 5 PM
Closed Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day
Admission
Adults - $8
Students (Ages 7-18) - $5
Call for group age pricing
Go to www.oceanstaroec.com or
call 409-766-STAR for additional
information and reservations.
The Ocean Star is operated by the Offshore
Energy Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.