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Environmental Problems Caused by Oil Fields

Oil fields are areas that contain oil wells that tap into oil reservoirs and feed our energy-hungry world. But there is a price to pay. Oil reserves are trapped in geologic confining layers that create immense hydrostatic pressures. In an oil well, these pressures are directed along the casings and may cause failure. Unfortunately, as oil is formed, so is a number of accompanying poisonous organic compounds as well. The potential for environmental harm a failed oil field may cause can be assessed from a variety of factors.

  1. Alteration of the Environment

    • Prior to the development of oil fields, natural environments persisted, and they did not include miles of wells and tons of metal pumping machines. The altered land use is hostile to plants and animals. Metal pumping fields exert stresses on life, sometimes casing it to die out or move on. Furthermore, the creation of associated access roads and control centers also impact the environment.

    Blowouts and Oil Leaks

    • Oil spills, well failures and blowouts always are a possibility. Pumping equipment and their associated wells must stand the tests of time in punishing environments. Over time, oil fields are exposed to weather conditions that cause wear. Without proper maintenance, the potential for environment disasters increases. Furthermore, the deeper a well, the greater its potential blowout area. Oil fields located in earthquake zones are at high risk. The destructive energy of earthquakes can rupture casings in entire oilfields, causing environmental disasters.

    Oil Plumes

    • Leaking oil contaminants travel through the environment via groundwater movement or along its concentration gradient. Oil contacting soil may spread through capillary action or rainwater movement through soil and rock strata. In most cases, organisms that come in contact with petroleum chemicals are poisoned.

    Explosions

    • Methane is an explosive gas associated with petroleum and is one of the world's most important energy sources. However, when trapped in storage tanks, its usefulness is replaced by explosive potential. The slightest friction-caused sparks may set off massive explosions. In 2009, two teens were killed in Carnes, Miss., when methane explosions ignited storage tanks. The gas is odorless, making it hard to detect. A spark can easily ignite, causing an explosion.

    Petrochemicals

    • Petrochemicals are poisonous chemicals that when released into the environment, cause harm to plants and animals. Olefins, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzine, and Xylene as well as the additive Methyl tertiary butyl ether are all noxious petroleum compounds.

    Human Error

    • Oil-field workers typically are assigned long, exhausting hours of work. Fatigue and monotony increase the risk of mistakes being made, which may lead to oil spills. Also, aging equipment and the lack of appropriate upgrades contribute to increased risks and oil spills.

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