Crude oil comes from plant and animal material that died millions
of years ago. Heat and pressure turned the matter into a thick dark liquid.
Crude oil is also called petroleum.
TYPES OF OIL
There are three types of crude oil produced in Saskatchewan.
heavy crude which is dark, thick and sticky
light crude which is a light golden color and flows easily
medium crude
WHERE IS OIL FOUND?
Crude oil and natural gas are found deep in the ground trapped
in pools between layers of rocks.
Alberta has Canada's richest oil fields. In Saskatchewan oil
is found in the following areas :
medium crude - southeast and southwest Saskatchewan
DRILLING FOR OIL
Since oil is found deep underground it has to be brought to the
surface. Companies drill deep wells to learn if there is an oil or gas
field. Once the deposits are found most wells need help getting
the oil out. Pumps are set up to lift the oil to the surface.
There are over 20,000 active wells in Saskatchewan.
REFINING THE OIL
Refineries are factories that turn the crude oil into useful energy products.
The refineries "cook" the oil in high towers till it boils.
As it cools the oil separates and the oil that is left can be
made into useful products.
- Regina - Consumers' Co-operative Refineries Ltd./
upgrader
- Lloydminster - Husky upgrader/asphalt plant
MOVING THE OIL
The oil is transported by
pipeline (Interprovincial Pipe Line) to market.
It is also delivered by truck, rail or ship.
Over 60 percent of the oil produced is sold to the United States, over
twenty percent is used in the province
and some is shipped to Eastern Canada.
USES FOR CRUDE OIL
- gasoline for cars, vans and smaller trucks
- flight fuel for planes
- diesel fuel for large trucks, buses and trains
- heating oil
- asphalt (for pavement and roofs)
- lubricants (oil, grease)
PETROLEUM (OIL) IS MADE INTO THOUSANDS OF PRODUCTS
The same substance that is a source of fuel for cars, trucks,
ships and planes is used to make to make many products.
Special chemicals called "petrochemicals" are made from oil.
This is what is used to make plastic and nylon. (list of products)
PROBLEMS
- oil spills
- leaks from pipelines and underground storage tanks
- air pollution
- recycling (plastic does not decay quickly)
- recycling used oil instead of dumping it