The systematic search for oil began as the industrial revolution gathered pace. Germany's first successful borehole was sunk near Celle in the spring of 1859 by Prof. Georg C.K. Hunaeus. In August of that year, Edwin Drake struck oil in North America.
Diesel engines drive the plant.
Mineral oil and natural gas are formed by the accumulation of the decomposing remains of large quantities of marine micro-organisms. The exhibition explains the conditions necessary for the creation of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and illustrates how they form enriched and economically exploitable reserves. Geological prospecting and geophysical prospecting are used to reveal the geological structure of the earth's crust and exactly where oil or gas are likely to occur. Various displays explain the seismic, magnetic and gravimetric methods of exploration drilling and how they are used in oil prospecting. Drilling techniques are therefore closely related to the extraction of oil.