2007-03-02 04:05:52 · 12 answers · asked by snsn 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Hot air collected from the mouth's of Rosie O'Donnell, Hilliary Clinton, Harry Ried, Nancy Pelosi, Al Franken, Katie Couric, NBC News, and various other sources of left wing opinions.
2007-03-02 04:10:58 · answer #1 · answered by Ponch 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
First, oil isn't really "sucked". It's not like there's a swimming pool of oil underground somewhere, and we just jam a straw into the earth to get it out. Furthermore, hydrocarbon reservoirs are thousands of feet below the surface, and will not cause sinkholes as the oil is "sucked" out.
The hydrocarbons are trapped in permeable and porous formations. If the formation happens to consists of hard rock, the hydrocarbons can be removed without the threat of formation collapse.
If the hydrocarbons are trapped in loosely consolidated formations (like sand), the sand will typically flow with the hydrocarbons as the well is produced. There are several methods to reducing sand production, which helps limit the amount of sand that is removed from the formation. One method included pumping millions of tiny ceramic balls (proppant) downhole, which prevent sand from being produced, yet maintains enough permeability for hydrocarbons to flow.
As another responder mentioned, a popular technique is injection. One hole is drilled for production, while a separate hole is drilled for injection. Water is a very typical injection fluid; as it is pumped into the reservoir, the hydrocarbons are forced upwards and produced to surface.
So, in short, your answers are:
1. Nothing
2. Proppant
3. Water
2007-03-02 13:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by wheresdean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question... I wonder if it is water... I don't think so though. After all, the millions of gallons of water pumped up from the aquifer in Florida is not replaced by water fast enough and so the land above caves in, creating sink holes... I found a site that explains some of the stuff involved with oil drilling, maybe you souled ask them your question if you can't find the answer.
2007-03-02 12:20:33 · answer #3 · answered by E V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would like to know this ans.also? I have wondered if the earth quakes we have are caused by vacated hole which a great in size. The materials taken from them leave no presser where there was presser so the earth is weaken and the more that's removed the more the earth has to re just to these holes Thurs thr earth quakes WALTER
2007-03-06 10:48:18 · answer #4 · answered by walterstoney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the type of drilling operation.
Many of the companies us an injection method to force the oil out of the ground and pump in salt water or other substance. Since the oil is lighter it floats on the surface of the substance pumped in and forces it out.
This is used on most oil platforms as seawater is readily available.
I have also heard that they use sludge or a slurry of water and mud.
2007-03-02 12:13:05 · answer #5 · answered by psionne 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
water, drill mud, air. Sometimes nothing fills in the space and the ground can start to sink because the underlieing bed rock no longer has the strength to keep the matieral above it.
2007-03-04 22:30:39 · answer #6 · answered by magnetic__reversal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apart from stuff used by earlier answer Co2 is used as an effort to carbon sequestration.
2007-03-02 12:38:11 · answer #7 · answered by anusen1970 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of three groups move in:
1) Dwarves move in and set up a new kingdom...
2) Aliens move in and set up a base for more earthling probing...
3) The U.S. Military moves in and sets up secret prisons for terrorists and liberals.
2007-03-02 12:18:11 · answer #8 · answered by Chris M 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Usually water.
Also, the "space" is like the space between grains of sand, not big caves of wide open space.
2007-03-02 12:42:51 · answer #9 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The soil above it. It's called subsidence.
2007-03-02 13:04:34 · answer #10 · answered by H.C.Will 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋