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Its not actually the oil that burns. Its the vapor that rises off it.
Oil is composed of hydrocarbons of various lengths. Heavier ones sink to the bottom and usually go on to become tar for roads or plastics. Lighter ones become fuels and rise as a vapor when revealed. Generally, they're burned gradually so that there's no build-up of pressure or explosion, which would damage equipment since the loss of yield (captured useful stuff) is negotiable.
Why?
Well, you can break the longer chains of hydrocarbons up into thinner ones via a chemical process called cracking or breaking. The lighter hydrocarbons react faster (just like the vapor does) and they're what become jet-fuel and petrolium in cars. The middle-length ones become your everyday plastics.
What's worth noting (and never shared) is that an oil spill can actually be controlled by using micillium or fungus, which break down hydrocarbons and convert them into carbohydrates - fungal sugars - which can then safely disperse into an environment. Unfortunately, not a lot of research has gone into this because oil companies want to sell their dispersant agents or plasticizers which work similarly to cracking, breaking oil up into smaller and smaller pieces so it disperses over a larger area with a much weaker yield. Unfortunately, this process is almost entirely cosmetic and the dispersant agent itself and the combined product is typically extremely dangerous to the environment.
Sorry to go all hippy on you like that. Its one of the next logical steps to your question. :)
What else can I help you with?
How many oil fields in the world today?
There are thousands of oil fields around the world, with varying sizes and production capacities. The exact number is difficult to pinpoint as new fields are discovered and developed, while others may become inactive or depleted over time. Major oil-producing countries like the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Canada have numerous oil fields within their territories.
Are there oil fields in Nebraska?
Yes, there are oil fields in Nebraska, particularly in the western part of the state. The largest oil producing counties in Nebraska are in the western region, such as Cheyenne, Banner, and Kimball counties. Nebraska's oil production contributes to the state's energy resources.
Where is petroleum found on earth?
Petroleum is found underground in regions called oil fields. These oil fields are usually located in sedimentary rocks, where organic materials have been heated and compressed over millions of years to form crude oil. Petroleum can be extracted through drilling wells into these oil fields.
What is the largest oil fields and their types of traps in Texas Alaska and Gulf of Mexico?
The largest oil field in Texas is the Spraberry Trend, which is a type of stratigraphic trap. In Alaska, the largest oil field is the Prudhoe Bay field, which is a type of structural trap. In the Gulf of Mexico, the largest oil fields are the Perdido and Mars-Ursa fields, which are also structural traps.
What is an Oil field?
An oil field is an area of land or sea where there are significant deposits of oil that can be extracted using drilling and extraction techniques. Oil fields are typically measured in terms of their reserves, or the amount of oil that can be economically recovered. Oil fields are crucial for the production of crude oil, which is then refined into various petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
How many oil fields did Saddam Hussein set on fire?
Saddam ignited 600 oil fields. Read more at the Related Link below.
What did the Iraqi troops do the oil fields during the Gulf War?
The retreating Iraqi soldiers famously set fire to a number of major Kuwaiti Oil Fields at the close of the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991.
When was Fields of Fire - album - created?
Fields of Fire - album - was created in 1985.
When was Fields of Fire - song - created?
Fields of Fire - song - was created on 1983-02-18.
Was all the oil fields set on fire by Saddam Hussein now put out?
Saddam Hussein did not set very many oil fields on fire, except a few to keep them from falling into NATO hands. Indeed, that conflict was nineteen years ago, and all fires inflicted at the time have been since dealt with. A massive oil spill where Iraq dumped 400 million gallons of crude oil into the Persian Gulf has also been dealt with.
Is there any oil field in oregon?
There are oil fields as well as gas fields located in the state of Oregon.
How are fields formed?
a feild on fire
What resource did adolf Hitler want to capture by attacking southern soviet union?
Oil Fields
Are oil fields in the eastern Mediterranean?
no the region lacks oil.
Where are oil fields located?
There are oil fields in many countries around the world. Some of the larger oil fields are found in Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. Oil fields are also found in the Middle East in countries such as Kuwait, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
What are the onshore oil fields in uae?
one of the onshore fields in uae isbab
Do oil and fire mix?
If you want to make a fire you can put oil in it
