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They drill for oil. Oil collects in porous rock like sandstone or shale. So they drill down until they reach the porous rock and the oil will collect at the bottom of the well and can be forced to the surface to be collected. If the oil is reluctant to flow then it can be encouraged with water or gas pressure by pumping water or gas into the rock. Also the porous rock can be fragmented by chemicals (or even explosives) to encourage flow. Any water mixed with the oil is separated out before it is sold.

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16y ago

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