Gasoline Consumption in the U.S.

Gas Consumption Begins at the Pump Petroleum is used in everything from medications to lubricants, partially explaining its high usage in the U.S.’s heavily driven consumer economy. According to the EIA, the U.S. consumes approximately 21 million barrels of oil daily, the majority of which is refined into gasoline. To put this in perspective the U.S. consumes more gasoline than South America,...

Pricing of Gasoline

Gas Prices at the Pump Fluctuate Daily Gasoline remains a primary commodity in U.S. consumers maintaining their current quality of life, to the point where severe price fluctuations have devastating impact to the American economy, the lifestyles of its people, and the politicians. The typical person observes and is impacted by these seemingly random changes in price, but has little, if any,...

Crude Oil Pricing

Oil Rig Crude Oil or petroleum, the “black stuff” that comes out of the ground, is made up of a variety of elements such as carbon, hydrogen and sulfur, and originates from the remains of plants and animals that existed in prehistoric ages. Hence, it is commonly referred to as fossil fuel. However, crude oil must be refined to produce energy, whether in the form of gasoline, kerosene or...

The Peak Oil Debate – Does it Matter?

Establishing the Context The theory of peak oil implies that there will be a time at which global oil production begins a permanent decline as a result of supply and economic production factors. Should world demand continue to increase (as it has), the point of peak oil will pose a significant supply and price problem for the world economy. The question we seek to explore is, “Have we reached...

Clean Coal Technology

Coal Powered Plant Even the most ardent anti-environmentalist will acknowledge that coal is among the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. It produces emissions that are believed to have some impact on climate change, create acid rain, and pollute water. Given the recent positive resurgence of interest in nuclear power, hydropower, and various forms of renewable energy sources, one might deduce that...

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve

 The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a federally controlled oil stockpile, that was created in 1975 as a result of the 1973-1974 oil embargoes. Its purpose is to reduce U.S. vulnerability to any interruptions to the oil supply, regardless of whether they are initiated by one of its supplying OPEC nations or a natural disaster (e.g. Hurricane Katrina). Procedural Framework for Releasing...

Offshore Drilling

Offshore Drilling Rigs Worldwide daily consumption of oil generally exceeeds 80-85 million barrels thereby driving the petroleum industry to continually search the planet for new reserves. Since the world’s oceans comprise almost 75 percent of the earth’s surface, it stands to reason that much of the world’s future new oil reserves will be discovered underwater. Underwater exploration,...

Nuclear Power’s Role in Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Reducing CO2 Emissions is a Desirable Goal Regardless of one’s view of the significance or even existence of global warming, few dispute the notion that the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is both desirable and necessary from an environmental stewardship perspective. Recognizing that the generation of electricity from fossil fuels (e.g. natural gas and coal) is a major source in CO2...

Introduction to Artificial Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into usable fuel and it is typically discussed in relation to plants where the fuel is carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Using only 3 percent of the sunlight that reaches the planet, plants collectively perform massive energy conversions, converting just over 1,100 billion tons of CO2 into food sources for animals every...

Gasification – Clean Coal and Other Fuels

Gasification involves a set of chemical reactions that convert carbon-containing feedstock into synthetic gas. It uses only a small amount of oxygen which when combined with steam and put under intense pressure produces a gaseous mix of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. This synthetic gas can be burned directly or used to start the development of fertilizer, pure hydrogen, methane, or liquid...