2007-03-23 09:25:40 · 4 answers · asked by VAHID E 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Oil does NOT exist in huge, free-floating pools under the surface of the Earth. Instead, it is located within rock...soaked into it's surface similar to a sponge.
Anyway, when the oil is extracted...sometimes water is inserted into the rock voids that are left empty from the oil extraction.
2007-03-23 09:34:34 · answer #1 · answered by proudbaldeagle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ground and water collapse... in the very long term only.
It´s just like coal mines... I was born in a coal mining areas and houses there crack ! Because the soil tends to slowly lower itself with time... I don´t even let you imagine the roadwork needed.
Luckily, most oil wells are located in unpopulated areas.
Some people use oil wells as CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) to avoid CO2 emissions and increase the pressure to get more oi out... a win-win situation
Other technologies compress sea water into off-shore wells to increase the pressure and the output.
2007-03-23 09:34:21 · answer #2 · answered by NLBNLB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although water is pumped into oil resevoirs this has lead to problems with biomats forming, thus degrading the oil. A better method is to pump carbon dioxide into the well. The hydrocarbons float on this and can be pumped out without creating mats.
2007-03-23 11:59:51 · answer #3 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water and then topped with concrete
2007-03-23 09:30:26 · answer #4 · answered by t. H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋