Tight Oil Drilling
Tight oil oil (oil shale) drilling is an unconventional hydrocarbon process that involves drilling and extracting oil from tight, low permeability reservoirs, such as shale, sandstone, and limestone formations. Tight oil drilling has gained popularity in the past decade and is becoming an increasingly popular form of oil production. This article will discuss the technology, advantages and disadvantages of tight oil drilling.
Technology
The technology used in tight oil drilling involves the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Horizontal drilling allows producers to access stubborn oil bearing formations of rock by drilling in different directions from the same wellbore. This technique increases the amount of hydrocarbons that can be recovered from the well and also reduces the amount of time needed to drill. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is used to increase the permeability of the rock allowing more of the oil to flow out of the well. This process involves the injection of a liquid containing water, sand, and chemicals into the rock, which then creates fractures or cracks that increase permeability.
Advantages
Tight oil drilling has been successful in extracting more oil from conventional oil wells, and has allowed greater production from wells with previously low yields. Tight oil drilling also reduces environmental degradation by using less energy during the extraction process, and it decreases the risk of spills. In addition, tight oil drilling requires less capital investment, which makes it a more viable option for small, independent oil producers.
Disadvantages
Tight oil drilling requires more careful management and oversight, which can increase the cost of production. In addition, there is uncertainty surrounding the costs of hydraulic fracturing, which can further increase the cost of production. Furthermore, tight oil drilling can have environmental consequences, such as pollution from chemicals used in fracking, and disruption of the natural environment.
Conclusion
Tight oil drilling has become increasingly popular in the past decade, as it allows producers to access stubborn oil bearing formations of rock and extract more oil from conventional oil wells. However, the technology used in tight oil drilling can be expensive and there are potential environmental consequences associated with the process. Despite this, tight oil drilling is becoming an increasingly attractive option in the global energy market, as it is a cost-effective and efficient way of extracting oil from difficult to access sources.
