An Introduction To Petroleum Technology Economics And Politics

The perfect primer for both the layperson and the engineer, for the new hire and the old hand, describing, in easy-to-understand language, one of the biggest and most lucrative industries in the world. There is only one substance known to mankind that can cause wars, influence global economies, and make entire countries rich: petroleum. One teaspoon of the stuff carries enough energy to power a ton truck up a hill. It's in the news every single day, it influences our lives in ways that we cannot fathom, and it is the most important commodity in the world. But how much does the average person, even the average engineer, know about it? This book describes the petroleum industry, in easy-to-understand language, for both the layperson and engineer alike. From the economics of searching for oil and gas to the pitfalls of drilling and production, getting it out of the ground, into pipelines, into refineries, and, finally, into your gas tank, this book covers the petroleum industry like no other treatment before. There is coverage of pricing and the economics of this very important resource, as well, which is useful not only to engineers, but to economists and, really, anyone who uses it. From jet fuel to gasoline to natural gas and plastics, petroleum is one of the integral products of our lives. We are practically bathed it in from birth, our food is protected by it, and it even has healing properties. Learn all about this incredible substance and its fascinating history and highly debated future. An Introduction to Petroleum Technology, Economics, and Politics: Gives a thorough summary of the petroleum and natural gas industry, from prospect to production to pipeline New technologies, such as directional and underbalanced drilling, are covered, in easy-to-understand language Useful not only for newcomers and laypersons, but for engineers and students, particularly those for whom English is a second language Examines the basics of pricing and valuation

What causes the huge swings in the price of oil, and what does the future hold for the oil industry? This insightful book by a leading expert in the field explains clearly why the economics of oil must take into account that it is a depleting non-renewable resource, and the cost of extraction depends not only on the current rate of production but also on the cumulative production. The author dismisses the idea that oil economics is determined by arcane mathematical formulae, and instead reduces crude oil pricing to the basic principles of oil quality and properties, extraction, refining, and geopolitics. Speight shows how oil properties play an essential role in oil pricing and politics, and clarifies why crude oil prices behave much as any other commodity with wide price swings in times of shortage or oversupply. He examines the issue of oil reserves, and connects science, economics, and politics for an unprecedented, in-depth look at the oil industry of today and tomorrow.

This book, originally published in 1996, traces the development of US government policy toward the oil industry during the 1920s and 1930s when the domestic syustem of production control was established. It then charts the deveopment and collapse of oil import controls, and the wild scramble for economic rents generated by Government regulation. It discusses the two oil crises and the ‘phantom’ Gulf War crisis, and the importance of public opinion in shaping the policy agenda. It also provides an in-depth study of Congressional oil votes from the 1950s to the 1980s and the formation of oil policy, beginning with theories of economic regulation, the role of interest groups in developing the policy agenda and the role of money in politics.

Petroleum refiners must face billion-dollar investments in equipment in order to meet ever-changing environmental requirements. Because the design and construction of new processing units entail several years’ lead time, refiners are reluctant to commit these dollars for equipment that may no longer meet certain conditions when the units come on stream. Written by experts with both academic and professional experience in refinery operation, design, and evaluation, Petroleum Refining Technology and Economics, Fifth Edition is an essential textbook for students and a vital resource for engineers. This latest edition of a bestselling text provides updated data and addresses changes in refinery feedstock, product distribution, and processing requirements resulting from federal and state legislation. Providing a detailed overview of today’s integrated fuels refinery, the book discusses each major refining process as they relate to topics such as feedstock preparation, operating costs, catalysts, yields, finished product properties, and economics. It also contains end-of-chapter problems and an ongoing case study.

Oil and Gas explores the business and politics of this complex industry from a regional perspective. This book combines theory, practice and a range of international case studies to provide a comprehensive overview of energy management.

Revised and updated to reflect major changes in the field, this second edition presents an integrated and balanced view of current attitudes and practices used in sound economic decision-making for engineering problems encountered in the oil industry. The volume contains many problem-solving examples demonstrating how economic analyses are applied to different facets of the oil industry.;Discussion progresses from an introduction to the industry, through principles and techniques of engineering economics, to the application of economic methods to the oil industry. It provides information on the types of crude oils, their finished products and resources of natural gas, and also summarizes worldwide oil production and consumption data.

Volume 1 deals with the origins of process gases and describes recovery, properties and composition. It covers as well the shale gas, the production from hydrocarbon rich deep shale formations, being one of the most quickly expanding trends in onshore domestic gas exploration. Vol. 2: Composition and Processing of Gas Streams. Vol. 3: Uses of Gas and Effects.