Energys Grand Challenges

Why there isnt an easy solution

Todays Energy
85.5 % = fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal)
14.5 % = nuclear and all other
sources

By 2025
87 % = fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal)
13 %= nuclear and all other
sources
Source: US Energy Information Administration
 World demand for energy
expands 45% by 2030

Source: IEA World Energy Outlook 2008

 Challenge: bridge supply limitations with
24-hour demand for electricity worldwide

1970s: Photo from space - glow from electric lights at night.

Image Credit: NASA

Challenge: bridge supply limitations with
24-hour demand for electricity worldwide
2005: Photo from space - glow from electric lights at night.

Streamline electricity grid for efficiency

Develop wind and solar storage systems for peak use.
Continue clean coal technology advancements
Increase use of natural gas
Image Credit: NASA
Challenge: Develop new technologies
and cultural habits.

Modernize electricity grid

Develop and use more efficient
transportation energy (i.e. hybrids,
electric cars, hydrogen, natural
gas, algae-based fuels)
Redesign homes and buildings
Use less!
Challenge: Develop new technologies
and cultural habits

Engineers use complex computer

simulation models for design
 How valuable is oil?

Volumes
1 Barrel = 42 gallons = 672 cups

Just for fun!

1 Barrel Bottled Water=128/16 x 42 x $2 = $672

16 oz. Bottled Water@ $2

1 Barrel Latte = 672/2 x $3.50 = $1176

1 Barrel of oil = $85
 How important is oil?

U.S. consumes 19.5 million barrels

of oil per day

U.S. produces 8.5 million barrels

of oil per day
 You can kiss lipstick good-bye.
Artificial Hearts Deodorant Insecticides
Aspirin Digital Clocks Life Jackets
Balloons Dyes Lipstick
Bandages Fertilizers Luggage
Blenders Food Preservatives Medical Equipment
Cameras Footballs Medicines Shampoo
Candles Furniture MP3 Players Shaving Cream
CD Players Garbage Bags Pantyhose Soft Contact Lenses
Clothing Glasses Patio Screens Surfboards
CDs/DVDs Glue Perfumes Telephones
Computers Golf Balls Photographic Film Tents
Containers Hair Dryers Photographs Toothpaste
Crayons Hang Gliders Piano Keys Toys
Credit Cards House Paint Roller Blades Umbrellas
Dentures Ink Roofing
 How valuable is petroleum?

What U.S. produces in one day could

supply:
4 million homes with natural gas
200 million polyester shirts
50 million plastic garbage cans
200 million acrylic sweaters
100 million bicycle tires
100 million pounds of reinforced tire filler
4 billion panty hose
 The search for oil and gas

Exploration
Appraisal
Development
Refining and Marketing
Where we find oil: porous rock
 Hydrocarbon Traps

Images courtesy of http://www.planete-energies.com

Seismic Reflections
Challenge: large oilfields increasingly
difficult to find.
Seismic technology advances
Breakthroughs in computer processing
power and data management needed
Offshore deepwater exploration
Offshore Rig

A deepwater project will:

Take many years to complete

Cost almost $1 billion

Employ 2000 people

Bring 50,000 barrels of oil per
day to market

(this is not a really big one, either!)

Tension leg
platform
Production Systems
 Challenge: getting the oil out

oday, we can access hydrocarbons trapped in rocks with

smaller, complex pores using horizontal drilling
Challenge: getting the oil out

Deepwater Drilling
The Deepwater Pathfinder drillship
(shown) can drill in water depths
up to 10,000 feet

Dynamic-Positioning - Small
thrusters and global positioning
keep it stable, shifting less than 50
feet in any direction.
Safety and Environmental Protection are Critical!
Deepwater Horizon

There has not been an offshore accident of this

magnitude in the US since the late 1960s.
 Number of offshore fatalities and
incidents worldwide, 1970 2007

Source: OGP Risk Assessment Data Directory 2010

2009 Analysis of U.S. Oil Spillage - API
2009 Analysis of U.S. Oil Spillage - API
2009 Analysis of U.S. Oil Spillage - API
Natural seeps contribute 46% of the oil in oceans
worldwide; E&P accounts for less than 4%

Source: National Research Council, Oil in the Seas, Table 3.2, 2002
Challenge: producing energy while
protecting the environment
Drilling Site at Yariapo, Bolivia

Before Restoration After Restoration

www.planete-energies.com
 Challenge: Recruiting the next
generation of engineers and scientists
Engineering
Petroleum, Chemical,
Mechanical, Others
Geoscience
Geology, Geophysics

Sciences
All basic sciences -
research
Business
Finance, HR,
Management