Hands On Oil Exploration Experiment
An Investigation into the Processes and Costs of Drilling for Oil
Jan 31, 2009
A misconception that most people have about oil exploration is that finding oil does not begin with drilling for oil; it begins with sounding for oil. Drilling for oil is an expensive process, so oil companies conduct comprehensive seismic and geological studies of an area before they begin drilling. The exploration for oil process is complicated and expensive, however, if a large reservoir of oil is discovered the oil company stands to recoup its costs and make a profit.
Geoscientists use sophisticated computer data acquisition systems which allow them to make highly detailed three dimensional pictures of an area’s underground geology. Once an oil company’s geologists have narrowed down an area where their research indicates a one in five or six chance of finding oil, the company begins the expensive process of drilling.
Petroleum or “rock oil” products are derived from fossil fuels – oil and natural gas. The United States uses these petroleum products to produce electricity, heat, transportation fuels, plastics, and a multitude of other products. Oil is made up of liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas is made up of gaseous hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are the result of millions of years of compression of organic matter under the earth’s surface by the many layers of earth and rock.
Petroleum Exploration Investigation
Completing this investigation will provide students with a basic understanding of how geoscientists identify oil/natural gas reservoirs and the cost of drilling for these resources. Students will use the scientific method and problem-based learning during this investigation.
Materials (per group):
- A cardboard shoe box or similar with a lid
- 250 ML beaker
- Stir stick
- Sand
- Several small rocks
- One small balloon
- Water
- Food coloring
- Clear plastic drinking straws
- Graph paper
- Metric ruler
- Bamboo skewer
- Masking tape
Procedures:
- Place a small balloon with colored water (dyed with food coloring and filled using the clear plastic straw) to represent the oil, within the layers of sand and rocks inside the shoe box. The oil reservoir (balloon) must be placed somewhere other than the middle or extreme edges. The middle is too obvious and the extreme edges may be too difficult.
- Mark sides of box north, south, east, and west.
- Make a map of the location of the oil reservoir and seal the lid with tape.
- Exchange your box with another group as directed by teacher.
- After receiving a box from another group, place it on the table and do not lift or move it again.
- Attach graph paper on the top of the box with tape.
- Make one centimeter markings on the bamboo skewer up to the depth of the box.
- Tap on the top of the box listening for differences in sound in the box (seismic study).
- After completing your group’s seismic study pick a location for drilling and mark it on the graph paper with a pencil.
- Next begin drilling by gently pushing the bamboo skewer into the top of the box.
- Drilling expenses: each centimeter of depth costs $200,000 dollars and every time you move to a new location to drill it costs $100,000.
- Keep a record of the total cost of drilling until you group finds the oil reservoir.
Student Questions:
- What was the total cost of your group’s exploration?
- If the oil reservoir your group found is projected to contain one million barrels of oil (using the price of today’s oil per barrel), how much money did your group make or lose?
- What could your group have done to make the exploration more cost-effective?
- Use 20 Questions to Ask Students in Science Projects as guide for additional questions.
Making Connections
Students used the processes of the scientific method to solve this problem-based investigation. They had to use problem solving and science process skills while acting as geoscientists to locate and drill for oil. Students found that a comprehensive seismic study is necessary to limit the costs of drilling for oil or natural gas.
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