The World's Biggest Oil Producers
Petroleum is a liquid and viscous natural resource found in underground deposits. It is mainly composed of hydrocarbons, which are organic molecules consisting of carbon and hydrogen. It is a non-renewable energy source widely used worldwide for the production of fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, as well as for the manufacturing of petrochemical products such as plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals.
The formation of petroleum occurs through the decomposition and accumulation of organic matter on the seafloor over millions of years. As layers of sediment deposit over this organic matter, pressure and temperature increase, leading to the transformation of organic remains into petroleum through a process called catagenesis.
Petroleum extraction is carried out by drilling wells into the ground until reaching the oil reservoirs. Once extracted, petroleum is transported to refineries where it undergoes a refining process to separate the different components and obtain usable products.
Petroleum has been a source of geopolitical conflict due to its strategic importance and its impact on the global economy. Additionally, its use has been subject to debate due to its negative effects on the environment, such as greenhouse gas emissions and contamination of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in alternative and renewable energy sources as a way to reduce dependence on petroleum and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with its use.
