The perfect primer for both the layperson and the engineer, for the new hire and the old hand, describing, in easy-to-understand language, one of the biggest and most lucrative industries in the world. There is only one substance known to mankind that can cause wars, influence global economies, and make entire countries rich: petroleum. One teaspoon of the stuff carries enough energy to power a ton truck up a hill. It's in the news every single day, it influences our lives in ways that we cannot fathom, and it is the most important commodity in the world. But how much does the average person, even the average engineer, know about it? This book describes the petroleum industry, in easy-to-understand language, for both the layperson and engineer alike. From the economics of searching for oil and gas to the pitfalls of drilling and production, getting it out of the ground, into pipelines, into refineries, and, finally, into your gas tank, this book covers the petroleum industry like no other treatment before. There is coverage of pricing and the economics of this very important resource, as well, which is useful not only to engineers, but to economists and, really, anyone who uses it. From jet fuel to gasoline to natural gas and plastics, petroleum is one of the integral products of our lives. We are practically bathed it in from birth, our food is protected by it, and it even has healing properties. Learn all about this incredible substance and its fascinating history and highly debated future. An Introduction to Petroleum Technology, Economics, and Politics: Gives a thorough summary of the petroleum and natural gas industry, from prospect to production to pipeline New technologies, such as directional and underbalanced drilling, are covered, in easy-to-understand language Useful not only for newcomers and laypersons, but for engineers and students, particularly those for whom English is a second language Examines the basics of pricing and valuation

Volume 1 deals with the origins of process gases and describes recovery, properties and composition. It covers as well the shale gas, the production from hydrocarbon rich deep shale formations, being one of the most quickly expanding trends in onshore domestic gas exploration. Vol. 2: Composition and Processing of Gas Streams. Vol. 3: Uses of Gas and Effects.

With demand for petroleum products increasing worldwide, there is a tendency for existing refineries to seek new approaches to optimize efficiency and throughput. In addition, changes in product specifications due to environmental regulations greatly influence the development of petroleum refining technologies. These factors underlie the need for t

This book provides a rigorous, concise guide to the current status and future prospects of the global energy system. As we move away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy solutions, the complexity of the global energy system has increased. Tagliapietra cuts through this complexity with a multidisciplinary perspective of the system, which encompasses economics, geopolitics, and basic technology. He goes on to explore the main components of the global energy system - oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, bioenergy, hydropower, geothermal energy, wind energy, solar energy, marine energy - as well as energy consumption and energy efficiency. It then provides an in-depth analysis of the pivotal issues of climate change and of energy access in Africa.

Petroleum refiners must face billion-dollar investments in equipment in order to meet ever-changing environmental requirements. Because the design and construction of new processing units entail several years’ lead time, refiners are reluctant to commit these dollars for equipment that may no longer meet certain conditions when the units come on stream. Written by experts with both academic and professional experience in refinery operation, design, and evaluation, Petroleum Refining Technology and Economics, Fifth Edition is an essential textbook for students and a vital resource for engineers. This latest edition of a bestselling text provides updated data and addresses changes in refinery feedstock, product distribution, and processing requirements resulting from federal and state legislation. Providing a detailed overview of today’s integrated fuels refinery, the book discusses each major refining process as they relate to topics such as feedstock preparation, operating costs, catalysts, yields, finished product properties, and economics. It also contains end-of-chapter problems and an ongoing case study.

Introduces the reader to the production of the products in a refinery • Introduces the reader to the types of test methods applied to petroleum products, including the need for specifications • Provides detailed explanations for accurately analyzing and characterizing modern petroleum products • Rewritten to include new and evolving test methods • Updates on the evolving test methods and new test methods as well as the various environmental regulations are presented

“A stunning piece of work—perhaps the best single book ever produced about our energy economy and its environmental implications” (Bill McHibbon, The New York Review of Books). Petroleum is so deeply entrenched in our economy, politics, and daily lives that even modest efforts to phase it out are fought tooth and nail. Companies and governments depend on oil revenues. Developing nations see oil as their only means to industrial success. And the Western middle class refuses to modify its energy-dependent lifestyle. But even by conservative estimates, we will have burned through most of the world’s accessible oil within mere decades. What will we use in its place to maintain a global economy and political system that are entirely reliant on cheap, readily available energy? In The End of Oil, journalist Paul Roberts talks to both oil optimists and pessimists around the world. He delves deep into the economics and politics, considers the promises and pitfalls of oil alternatives, and shows that—even though the world energy system has begun its epochal transition—we need to take a more proactive stance to avoid catastrophic disruption and dislocation.