Oil Formation

Oil Formation

Crude oil is found deep in the earth’s crust. Crude oil is formed by the remains of living things trapped in the earth’s crust. This happens millions years ago. When living things died, the remains will transform into fossil. Thus petroleum or crude oil is also called as fossil fuel. The remains or fossil contains high organic compounds. These organic compounds will transform into petroleum or crude oil as a result of the soil and earth activities.

Oil reservoir composed of hydrocarbons trapped in porous rock formation. The formation of oil reservoir starts when the remains of living animals such as microscopic plants such as plankton and algae and animals are buried under miles of sand and mud. The remains thus turn into oil as the reaction of heat and pressure change.

There are four requirements necessary to the oil formation: -

1. there must be a source rock – must contain abundant of organic matter

2. there must be a heating event – will liquefies the organic matter to convert it into hydrocarbons

3. there must a reservoir rock – the oil formed will lies on the reservoir rock. A good reservoir rock will make sure the oil is not lost

4. there must be a trapping mechanism – Caused by the formation of oil and to avoid escape of oil

Oil Formation