Importance of Crude Oil Beyond Energy
Importance of Crude Oil Beyond Energy
Importance of Crude Oil Beyond Energy
Crude oil is a vital resource that has a significant impact on the global economy. It is used to
produce a wide range of products, including fuels, plastics, and chemicals. The oil and gas
industry supports millions of jobs worldwide and provides lower energy costs for
consumers. However, the use of crude oil also has environmental consequences, such as the
release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and oil spillages that can harm the local
environment. Despite these challenges, the oil and gas industry is facing increasing demands
to clarify the implications of energy transitions for their operations and business models, and
to explain the contributions that they can make to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to
achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement
Although the major use of petroleum is for fuel, and petroleum and natural gas are often
employed to generate electricity, there are many other uses.
Here is a list of many uses of oil and gas in our daily lives.
Agriculture
For the agriculture industry to run smoothly, it uses various fertilizers, herbicides, and
insecticides to protect the products from invasive plants or insects. Many of these products
contain petroleum in some fashion.
More than a billion pounds of plastic, all made with petrochemicals, find use annually in
agriculture.
The chemicals are used to make everything from plastic sheeting and mulch to pesticides and
fertilizers.
Plastics are also used to make twine, silage, and tubing.
Petroleum fuels are also used to transport foods (which are, of course, stored in plastic
containers).
Examples of agriculture products that contain petroleum are propane, lubricants, greases,
fungicides, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, irrigation piping, gloves, etc.
Vehicles
When thinking of oil, we immediately think of fuel to keep our cars running. However, oil is
found in many car parts, including car seats, tires, and bumpers.
Gear oil, brake fluid, tires, fuels, car seats, bumpers, window seals, motorcycle helmets,
boats, baby car seats, ambulances, helicopters, etc all contain petroleum.
Construction
Oil and gas are essential for construction materials such as paint, caulking, roofing, shingles,
asphalt, and pipes. Moreover, using products derived from petroleum allows for a safer
environment for construction workers, providing them with hard hats, safety goggles, and
other equipment. They also allow for more durable projects, with the use of protective
coatings and waterproofing.
Examples of construction materials that contain petroleum products are traffic cones, barrier
tapes, asphalt, tarpaulins, paint, safety glasses, water pipes, tools, safety helmets, caulking,
roofing shingles, plywood adhesive, paint rollers, etc.
Clothing
The most commonly manufactured fibres are petroleum based, such as nylon, polyester,
acrylic, and spandex. Fabrics and materials created from petroleum keep us dry and warm in
cold weather and cold in hot weather.
Outdoor clothing, clothing made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), artificial fibre,
sweaters, panty, rubber boots, running shoes, shoe soles, shoe polish, etc are all clothing
products that contain petroleum.
Accessories
Many everyday accessories are derived from various plastics, such as handbags, sunglasses,
phone cases, jewellery, and many others. All these come from petroleum.
Examples of accessories made with petroleum are sunglasses, carrier bags, synthetic leather,
umbrellas, jewelry, luggage, etc.
Household
We might not realize it, but in our homes, we are surrounded by products containing oil and
gas derivatives, including cooking tools, domestic appliances, and cleaning products.
Examples of petroleum products in our household
Because it is used to make plastics, fibers, synthetic rubber, and films, petrochemicals are
used in an incomprehensible array of household products. To name just a few:
• Carpeting
• TV sets
• Kitchen surfaces
• Plastics surfaces
• Non-stick pans
• Thermal isolation
• Exterior paints
• Window frames
• Dishwasher
• Detergents
• Trash bags
• Mops
• Faucets
• Crayons
• Detergents
• Dyes
• Milk jugs
• Pantyhose
• Perfume
• Safety glass
• Shampoo
• Soft contact lenses
• Wax
Beauty
There are beauty products that are derived from petroleum, such as nail polish, perfumes,
some make-up, and hair colourings. Some products which are used on a daily basis, such as
soap, toothbrushes, and shampoo are also made from oil.
Examples of beauty products that contain petroleum are nail polish, make-up, facial creams,
perfumes, shampoo, soap, shaving cream, hair curlers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair
colouring, deodorant, hair dryer, etc.
Medical
• Petrochemicals play many roles in medicine because they are used to create resins,
films, and plastics. Here are just a few examples:
• Phenol and Cumene are used to create a substance that is essential for manufacturing
penicillin (an extremely important antibiotic) and aspirin.
• Petrochemical resins are used to purify drugs, thus cutting costs and speeding the
manufacturing process.
• Resins made from petrochemicals are used in the manufacture of drugs including
treatments for AIDS, arthritis, and cancer.
• Plastics and resins made with petrochemicals are used to make devices such as
artificial limbs and skin.
• Plastics are used to make a huge range of medical equipment including bottles,
disposable syringes, and much more.
Much of the medical equipment used today, many of which are life-saving devices, is made
from oil. Not only are heart valves and artificial limbs made from petroleum, but also much
of the cleaning safety products medical personnel use.
Furniture
Most of our furniture has some components derived from oil. This is true for any synthetic
furniture, as well as furniture containing an oil finish.
Garden furniture, sun loungers, artificial fibres, parasols, carpet backing, rugs, upholstery,
curtains, pillows, lamps, refrigerator linings, candles, toilet seats, etc all contain oil and gas.
Electronics
Most electronics, from TVs to computers and cell phones, contain plastics. In some cases,
these plastics prevent any safety hazards. Electronics are now indispensable to our daily lives,
and oil and gas play a central role in making this possible.
Electronics products that contain petroleum products are cable coatings, computers, TV sets,
tablets, headsets, camera, mobile phones, photographic film, etc.
Office
Our office spaces are filled with oil-derived materials which help us in our everyday work
and enable us to deliver the best products: all electronics, most furniture, and even prinker ink
all contain petroleum.
Printing inks, pens, computers, glue, tape, etc are all petroleum products found in offices.
Food
• Petrochemicals are used to make most food preservatives that keep food fresh on the
shelf or in a can.
• In addition, you'll find petrochemicals listed as ingredients in many chocolates and
candies.
• Food colorings made with petrochemicals are used in a surprising number of products
including chips, packaged foods, and canned or jarred foods.
Petrochemicals Feedstocks
• Many products derived from crude oil refining such as ethylene, propylene, butylene,
and isobutylene are primarily intended for use as petrochemical feedstocks in the
production of plastics, synthetic fibres, synthetic rubbers, and other products.
Toys
Many of the toys children play with are made from oil-based plastics. Lego, dolls, frisbees,
crayons and markers, and balloons are all made from or with plastic components, as do many
other childhood items such as car seats or buggies.
Road
Asphalt, also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid
form of petroleum. It is a naturally occurring substance found in deposits within the earth or
can be produced as a by-product of refining crude oil.
Asphalt is commonly used in road construction and surfacing, where it is mixed with
aggregate materials (such as gravel, sand, or crushed stone) to create asphalt concrete. This
mixture is used to pave roads, parking lots, and other surfaces due to its durability, water
resistance, and ability to withstand heavy traffic.
In addition to its use in road construction, asphalt is also used in various other applications,
including roofing materials, waterproofing products, and as a sealant for various purposes.
Lubricants
• Special refining processes produce lubricating oil base stocks. Additives such as
emulsifiers, antioxidants, and viscosity improvers are blended into the base stocks to
provide the characteristics required for motor oils, industrial greases, lubricants, and
cutting oils.