1. Fossil Fuels: Their advantages, disadvantages and future
Geoffrey Thyne
Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute
University of Wyoming

2. Modern Civilization

3. World Energy Demand
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." 3

4. From John Lavelle – GE Gasification4

5. From John Lavelle – GE Gasification5

6. Energy Sources
Fossil fuels
Nuclear
Solar
Wind
Efficiency

7. US Energy Sources and Sinks

8. 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).

9. Fossil Fuels Pluses 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. 9

10. World Energy Reserves/Production

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

12. Why are liquid hydrocarbons so desirable? Energy Density

13. Why are liquid hydrocarbons so desirable? Energy Payback

14. Resource Triangle Unconventional Conventional Reservoirs
Small volumes that are
easy to develop
Improved technology
Increased pricing
Unconventional
Large volumes difficult to develop

15. Liquid Fuels
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).

16. Conventional Oil and Gas

17. World Oil Production

18. BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2008
Proved oil reserves
BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2008 18

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

20. Gaseous Fuels
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). 20

21. 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

22. Shale Gas

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

24. 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

25. Using Coal Coal Carbon Based Products Electrical Generation
Standard Pulverized
Coal Plant
Coal Gasification
IGCC Coal Plant
Ammonia
Fertilizer
Natural Gas
Liquids

26. 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

27. 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)

28. Demand for Energy Will Continue to Rise Oil and gas provide about two-thirds of energy consumed
Quadrillion Btu
I based the percentages on EIA report numbers
Oil 40%
Year
DOE EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 2004, Figure 2

29. 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 29

30. Questions?