Oil fields. Main oil fields
Al Ghawar
The largest oil field is located in Al-Ghawar (Ghawar, Gohar), located in Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf basin. It is located approximately 100 kilometers southeast of the city of Dhahran. Its dimensions are 280 by 30 kilometers. It was opened in 1948. The field is state owned and controlled by Saudi Aramco.
Approximately 60-65% of all Saudi Arabia's oil since the discovery of the field has been produced from it. About 700 thousand tons are mined per day, which is about 6.5% of world production. In addition, about 56.6 million cubic meters are produced daily in Gavar natural gas.
Oil reserves are approximately 82 billion barrels. However, about 10 billion tons of oil are recognized as proven and recoverable reserves. Oil deposits are located at a depth of 1.5-3 kilometers.
Samotlor field in Russia
In Russia, the largest oil field is Samotlorskoye, located in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, near the city of Nizhnevartovsk. It was opened in 1965. It got its name due to the close location of Lake Samotlor. The name of the lake in the local language is referred to as “thin water”, “dead lake”.
Reserves are estimated at 7 billion tons. However, about 3 billion tons of oil are proven. Oil deposits are located at a depth of 1.5-2.5 kilometers.
After 30 years of production, more than 2 billion tons of oil have been produced from the field. After this, production fell to 36 thousand tons per day, however modern technologies allowed to increase production.
Currently, the development of the field belongs to Samotlorneftegaz OJSC, which is owned by TNK-BP.
Alexander Ozerov, Samogo.Net
Despite the constant search for alternative energy sources, oil is still the main fuel resource on the planet.
The economy of many countries is based on oil exports, some states have developed to high level only thanks to the extraction of this mineral.
It was originally used as construction material and only over time they discovered their flammable properties, which are still valued to this day.
Where is the most oil?
This mineral is not mined everywhere. If you look at the world map, the most oil is produced in Saudi Arabia, followed by Russia, and the United States in third place.
If we turn to the nature of the occurrence of this resource, then there are oil and gas basins, that is, underground layers from where oil and.
Here are some of the largest:
- Persian Gulf.
- Sahara.
- Alaska.
- Gulf of Mexico.
The largest oil reserves are following countries:
- Venezuela (21% of world reserves).
- Saudi Arabia (19% of world reserves).
- Iran (9.5% of world reserves).
- Iraq (8.1% of world reserves).
- Kuwait (7.1% of world reserves).
Major oil fields
It is worth noting that the information on how many years the oil reserves in a particular field will last is correct, provided that oil is produced annually in the volume in which this is happening now. At the same time, the speed of technology development does not stand still, and new equipment makes it possible to increase the production rate every year.
The largest oil fields in the world are as follows:
Rumaila
Refers to the oil and gas basin of the Persian Gulf. Located in Iraq near the city of Basra. Oil reserves – 5.4 billion tons, will run out in 75 years. 70 million tons per year are mined annually.
Production method: waterflooding, i.e. intra-formational pressure is maintained by pumping water inside.
Al Ghawar
It belongs to the oil and gas basin of the Persian Gulf and is the largest developed oil field in the world.
About 7% of global production is produced per day from this field. Location: Saudi Arabia, near the city of Dhahran.
The reserve will run out in 38 years, a total of 9.5 billion tons. 250 million tons are mined per year. It is produced by flooding.
Kashagan
Of the largest oil fields, this was one of the most recent to be discovered - in 2000.. It is located on the shelf of the Caspian Sea and is the largest offshore field. Located in Kazakhstan, near the city of Atyrau. The deposit totals 4.8 billion tons. By technical reasons oil from this field in this moment not mined. From 2016, it is planned to produce 25 million tons of oil per year, and over time, increase this number to 100 million tons per year. With an average production volume of 50 million tons per year, it will end in 80 years.
Greater Burgan
This field alone produces 5% of world oil production. Located in Kuwait City, south of Kuwait City.
This field has reserves of 13 billion tons, which will allow production for 150 years.
80 million tons are pumped out per year. The extraction method is an oil well, the oil itself gushes to the surface.
Daqing
Heilongjiang Province, China. The deposit totals 6.36 billion tons, with production of 50 million tons per year, and will end in 127 years. It is produced by flooding.
Cantarel
Located in Mexico, the Bay of Campeche is projected to have 5.7 billion tons. 90 million tons are mined per year, it will end in 63 years. The extraction method is waterflooding.
Prudhoe Bay
Oil and gas basin of the North Slope of Alaska, USA. The reserve is 3.1 billion tons, 13 million tons are mined annually. Mining will cease in 230 years. Production method - flooding using sea water.
Aghajari
Persian oil and gas basin, the state of Iran. The deposit has a capacity of 1.9 billion tons, with an annual production of 40 million tons, and will end in 47 years. It is extracted from a well.
Hassi-Messaoud
Saharan-Libyan oil and gas basin, Algeria, Ouargla city. Reserves – 2.4 billion tons, extracted from wells. With annual production of 22 million tons, it will end in 109 years.
Samotlor field
The Samotlor field ranks 6th in the world and is the largest in Russia in terms of oil production. Located in Russia in Nizhnevartovsk. The reserve is 7.1 billion tons, with annual production being 22 million tons. Production method: mechanized, maintaining reservoir pressure. It will end in 320 years.
Scientists have calculated that by the middle of the 21st century, half of all the oil lying in the bowels of the Earth will be extracted.
One way to extend the period of use oil reserves Land is their economy. How to calculate the amount of fuel for a car, read the link.
In the United States, in an attempt to delay the fuel crisis, they are pumping extracted oil into underground reservoirs, but this measure will not help for long.
In 2014, Russia carried out exploration and discovered a new rich field in the Kara Sea, which in terms of reserves exceeds the volume of Saudi Arabia. And in the same year the Astrakhan field was discovered.
The price of oil will constantly rise, all decreases will be temporary.
At the same time, many scientists are working on the use of various alternative energy sources. We can only hope that when all the oil fields are depleted, an equivalent replacement will be invented.
3. Oil and gas on the world map
3.1. Growth dynamics of global oil and gas production
At the beginning of the 20th century industrial oil mined only in 19 countries of the world. In 1940 there were 39 such countries, in 1972 - 62, in 1989 -79. The number of countries producing gas has similarly grown. Nowadays oil and gas are produced in all parts of the world except Antarctica.
The geography of oil and gas fields, as well as the volumes of energy resources production, have undergone significant changes in time.
In the middle of the last century, the leaders in oil production were Russia (Baku region) and the USA (Pennsylvania). In 1850, 101 thousand tons of oil were produced in Russia, and 300 thousand tons in total in the world.
In 1900, about 20 million tons of oil were already produced, including in Russia - 9.9 million tons, in the USA - 8.3, in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) - 0.43, in Romania and Austria -Hungary - 0.33 each, in Japan - 0.11, in Germany - 0.05.
On the eve of the First World War, oil production in the United States increased sharply. Mexico has become one of the leading oil-producing countries. Oil production in the countries of the world in 1913 was: USA - 33 million tons, Russia - 10.3, Mexico - 3.8, Romania - 1.9, Dutch East Indies - 1.6, Poland - 1.1 .
In 1920, 95 million tons of oil were produced on the planet, in 1945 - over 350, in 1960 - over 1 billion tons.
In the second half of the 60s, the leading oil-producing countries included Venezuela, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Libya. Together with the USSR and the USA, they accounted for up to 80% of world oil production.
In 1970, about 2 billion tons of oil were produced in the world, and in 1995 -3.1. Saudi Arabia leads the world in annual oil production (data from 1996) (392.0 million tons). It is followed by the USA (323.0 million tons), CIS countries (352.2), Iran (183.8), Mexico (142.2), China (156.4), Venezuela (147.8) and others .
It is expected that by 2005, global total oil production will increase to 3.9 billion tons/year.
The widespread use of natural gas began only in the middle of this century. Between 1950 and 1970 gas production in the world increased from 192 billion m: | up to 1 trillion m 3, i.e. 5 times. Now it is about 2.5 trillion. M J .
3.2. World oil and gas reserves
Energy consumption in the world is constantly growing. Naturally, the question arises: how long will they last?
Information about proven oil reserves, as well as their volumes in 1996 are given in table. 3.1. When compiling it, countries with the largest reserves of “black gold” were selected for each region.
Table 3.1
Proven reserves |
Oil production in 2000 |
Multiplicity |
||||
Region, country | ||||||
Asia and Oceania, | ||||||
including: | ||||||
Indonesia | ||||||
Northern and | ||||||
Latin | ||||||
America, total | ||||||
including: | ||||||
Venezuela | ||||||
Africa, total | ||||||
including: | ||||||
Middle and | ||||||
including: | ||||||
Saudi Arabia | ||||||
Eastern | ||||||
Europe and CIS, | ||||||
including | ||||||
Kazakhstan | ||||||
Western | ||||||
Europe, total | ||||||
including: | ||||||
Norway UK Denmark |
160,8 126.8 17,9 | |||||
Total in the world |
From the table 3.1. it's clear that The countries in the Near and Middle East are the richest in oil- 66.5% of its world reserves are concentrated here. If current production rates are maintained, these reserves will last for an average of 86.8 years. Saudi Arabia has the most oil (35.51 billion tons). Next in descending order are Iraq (15.41 billion tons), Kuwait (12.88), Abu Dhabi (12.63), Iran (12.15). The total oil reserves of the listed countries account for about 95% of the reserves of the region as a whole.
The second region in terms of oil reserves is the Northern and Latin America. 14.57% of the world's reserves of “black gold” are concentrated here. It will last for an average of 23.9 years. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves here (10.53 billion tons), the subsoil of Mexico (3.87) and the USA (2.98) are relatively rich.
In the depths Africa 10.26 billion tons of oil are concentrated (7.3% of world reserves). At the current level of production, these reserves will last for an average of 30.6 years. Libya (4.04 billion tons), Nigeria (3.08) and Algeria (1.26) have the most oil in this region.
Eastern Europe and CIS countries occupy the 4th place in the world in terms of oil reserves (5.7% of the world). Russia has no competition here (6.65 billion tons). Kazakhstan has significantly smaller reserves - about 740 million tons. The third country in Eastern Europe in terms of reserves - Romania - has 200 million tons of oil.
In the depths Asia and Oceania There are about 4.3% of the world's reserves of "black gold", of which about 55% are in China. Western Europe has the smallest oil reserves in the world - less than 2% of the world's reserves. Over half of them are the property of Norway (1.29 billion tons), approximately a quarter is the property of Great Britain (0.69).
In general, proven oil reserves in the world in 2000 amounted to 140.9 billion tons, which at the current level of production will last for an average of 42 years.
Gloomy forecasts that “oil is running out” have been heard for a long time. In 1935, scientists predicted that in 15...20 years all known oil deposits would be depleted. The prediction did not come true. In 1955 world production oil amounted to over 700 million tons.
In 1951, it was expected that “oil would disappear within 25 years.” But in 1976, people managed to pump out about 3 billion tons of oil from the depths. At the same time, the timing of the depletion of the planet’s oil reserves was moved to the beginning of the 21st century.
Will this forecast come true? Most likely no.
Proven oil reserves in countries around the world are constantly being updated. In table 3.2 shows the dynamics of changes in proven reserves in a number of leading oil-producing countries in the world.
Table 3.2
Dynamics of changes in proven oil reserves in countries around the world, billion tons
Venezuela | |||||
Saudi | |||||
The table shows that proven oil reserves in the vast majority of countries have not only not decreased in more than 30 years, but have increased several times. We can expect this trend to continue in the future.
Proven reserves are only one component of oil resources. In addition to these, there are also probable and possible reserves. To understand how they differ from each other, we provide the necessary definitions.
Proven reserves- this is part of the reserves that will most likely be extracted from developed deposits under existing economic and technical conditions.
Probable reserves- this is a part of the reserves, the geological and engineering data about which are still insufficient for an unambiguous judgment about the possibility of development in the existing economic and technical conditions, but which can be cost-effective even with a slight increase in information about the relevant deposits and the development of production technology.
Possible reserves are those portions of the reserves for which geological information is sufficient only to provide at least rough estimate extraction costs or roughly indicate the optimal extraction method, but only with a low degree of probability (such an estimate is indicative and depends on the individual point of view).
In other words, probable and possible reserves differ from proven ones in that either they are impractical to develop at the current price level and technologies used, or information about them is insufficient.
However, as proven reserves decline, oil prices rise. New, more advanced oil production technologies are emerging* In this regard, eventually probable and possible oil reserves will turn into proven ones.
Considering that the values of all three types of reserves are comparable, the timing of the onset of the “oil famine” can be postponed by several more decades. Even if we assume that not a single new oil field will be discovered during this time.
The widespread use of natural gas in the world began only in the 50s of our century. Since that time, scientists began to seriously study its reserves. The change in proven natural gas reserves in the world can be judged from the data in Table. 3.3.
Table 3.3 Proven reserves of natural gas in the world
It is easy to see that in all regions except Western Europe, proven natural gas reserves increased from 1975 to 1996. Accordingly, world gas reserves increased from 65 to 140 trillion. m\ If in 1975 the countries of the Near and Middle East had the largest gas reserves, then in 1996 - the CIS countries (56 trillion m:!) and, above all, Russia.
In table Table 3.4 shows data on proven gas reserves in the world as of January 1. 2001
Table 3.4
Proven reserves |
Oil production in 2000 |
Multiplicity |
|||
Region, country | |||||
Asia and Oceania, | |||||
including: | |||||
Malaysia | |||||
Indonesia | |||||
Northern and | |||||
Latin | |||||
America, total | |||||
including: | |||||
Venezuela | |||||
Africa, total | |||||
including: | |||||
Middle and | |||||
Middle East | |||||
including: | |||||
Saudi Arabia | |||||
Eastern | |||||
Europe and CIS, | |||||
including | |||||
Turkmenistan | |||||
Uzbekistan | |||||
Western | |||||
Europe, total | |||||
including: | |||||
Netherlands | |||||
Norway | |||||
Great Britain | |||||
Total in the world |
Note. Discrepancies in totals are due to rounding.
From the table 3.4 follows - there are two regions in the world with gigantic gas reserves: Eastern Europe and the CIS (56.7 trillion m"), as well as the Near and Middle East (52.52).
Russia has the largest proven gas reserves (48.14 trillion m:1), in whose depths 31.1% of the world's gas resources are concentrated. If current production rates are maintained, these reserves will last for 80.9 years. In other countries of Eastern Europe and the CIS, gas reserves do not exceed 2%.
Russia, in descending order of reserves, is followed by the first three countries of the Near and Middle East: Iran (23 trillion cubic meters), Qatar (11.15) and Saudi Arabia (6.04). Their gas supply due to relatively small production ranges from 115.3 to 402.8 years.
In the depths of Africa there are 11.16 trillion. m:! gas (7.2% of world reserves), if current production levels are maintained, they will be enough for 92 years. The leaders in gas reserves in this region are Algeria (4.52 trillion m3), Nigeria (3.51) and Libya (1.31).
North and Latin America are in 4th place in the world in terms of proven gas reserves. 19.71 trillion is concentrated here. m 3 of “blue fuel” (12.7% of the world), which will last for an average of 23.4 years. The largest gas reserves here are in the USA (4.74 trillion m3), Venezuela (4.16) and Canada (1.73).
10.34 trillion are concentrated in the depths of Asia and Oceania. m 3 of gas (6.7% of world reserves), which will be produced in approximately 39.9 years. Malaysia (2.31 trillion m3), Indonesia (2.05) and China (1.37) have the most gas in this region.
The countries of Western Europe have the least gas resources in the world (2.9% of the world). Here, the leaders in reserves are the Netherlands (1.77 trillion cubic meters), Norway (1.25) and the UK (0.76).
As of January 1, 2001, the world's proven gas reserves amounted to about 155 trillion. m 3, while maintaining the global gas production achieved in 2000, amounting to about 2.5 trillion. m 3, they will last for an average of 63.4 years.
Taking into account probable and possible reserves, the total world natural gas resources are estimated at 398 trillion. m 3. If the current level of gas production is maintained, these resources will last for about 200 years.
However, natural gas is not only found underground in pure gas fields. Significant quantities of it are concentrated in coal seams, in groundwater and in the form of gas hydrates.
Tragic accidents in coal mines are usually associated with methane contained in coal. Methane is found in the rock mass in a sorbed state. According to geologists, methane reserves in all coal-bearing regions of the world are close to 500 trillion. m 3.
Methane is also found in groundwater. The amount of dissolved gases in them exceeds all proven gas reserves in traditional form. For example, 7.36 trillion is dissolved in the formation waters of the Gulf Coast field (USA). m3 of methane, while natural gas reserves in pure gas fields in the United States amount to only 4.7 trillion. m 3.
Another large source of methane can be gas hydrates - its compounds with water, reminiscent of appearance March snow. One cubic meter of gas hydrate contains about 200 m 3 of gas.
Deposits of gas hydrates are found in sediments of deep-sea areas and in the interior of land with thick permafrost (for example, in the polar part of the Tyumen region, off the coast of Alaska, the coast of Mexico and North America).
According to weighted average modern estimates, the world's hydrated gas resources are about 21,000 trillion. m 3. If this assumption is confirmed, then gas hydrates can become an almost inexhaustible source of hydrocarbon raw materials.
The media published a selection of the ten largest oil fields in the world, where the top three were Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
So, first place was given to Chicontepec. This is a super-giant oil and gas field in Mexico, located at east coast Mexico. Discovered in 1926. The area of the deposit is 4 thousand square meters. km, it includes the territories of three states - Veracruz, Hidalgo and Puebla. Total modern reserves of the resource range from 19 billion to 22 billion tons. Also in Chicontepec huge reserves gas According to experts, somewhere around 1 trillion square meters. m.
The second position is occupied by the giant field in Saudi Arabia, one of the largest oil and gas fields in the world, located in the Persian Gulf basin.
Measuring 280 km by 30 km, it is the largest producing oil field in the world. It was opened almost immediately after the end of World War II in 1948.
Greater Burgan is a group of oil fields in Kuwait that contains more than 5% of the world's proven recoverable oil reserves. Includes three deposits (Burgan, Ahmadi, Magwa). Located in the desert in the south of Kuwait. The field contains more than 75% of Kuwait's proven oil reserves. Its area is 920 sq. km. Geological oil reserves are estimated at 13 billion tons. Oil production in Burgan began in 1946.
The fourth position is a deposit in Atlantic Ocean 200 km south of Rio de Janeiro. The official date of its discovery is July 17, 2008. The Brazilian government divided this field into 4 blocks: BM S 8, BM S 9, BM S 21, BM S 22. Geological reserves of the field called Carioca Pan de Azucar are estimated at 70 billion barrels, or 11 billion tons of oil, of which recoverable reserves are up to 5.7 billion tons of oil.
Zakum is a super-giant oil field in the UAE, located in Persian Gulf. In 1965, Lower Zakum was opened, and in 1967, Upper Zakum.
Geological reserves of the field are estimated at 65.6 billion barrels, or 10.7 billion tons of oil. Of these, in Upper - 8.2 billion tons, in Nizhny - 2.5 billion tons.
Safaniya Khafji is a gas and oil field in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was discovered in 1951. Geological oil reserves are estimated at 10.35 billion tons. Also, the bowels of the earth are rich in gas in this place - 330 billion cubic meters. m.
Bolivar is a group of oil fields in Venezuela (Maracaibo Oil and Gas Basin). Includes the Lagunillas, Tia Juana, Bochaquero and other deposits. Discovered in 1917.
Samotlor is the largest oil field in Russia. Located in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug of the Tyumen Region, near Nizhnevartovsk, in the area of Lake Samotlor. According to some reports, oil reserves here amount to almost 7.1 billion tons, or 15 billion barrels. Development wildlife, and with it, oil deposits in Samotlor began in 1965; the natural resource is located at a depth of up to 2.5 km. This field is being developed by the Rosneft company.
North/South Pars is a super-giant oil and gas field, the largest in the world. It is located in the central part of the Persian Gulf in the territorial waters of Qatar (North) and Iran (South Pars). North and South Pars are separated by a tectonic fault. South Pars was discovered in 1990. It is a relatively easy to access field as it is located at shallow depths and close to shore. As a result, low production costs.
Kashagan is a large offshore oil and gas field in Kazakhstan, located 80 km from the city of Atyrau, in the northern part of the Caspian Sea. The shelf depth is 3-7 km. The field was discovered on June 30, 2000 by the Vostok-1 well. Production natural resources began only in 2013 and in the next ten years will significantly improve economic situation in Kazakhstan due to oil exports to Asian and European countries.