In areas where air pollution is severe, smog alerts and acid rainstorms are common. Both are excellent sources of energy with numerous positive characteristics. Each contain large concentrations of chemically converted solar energy per unit of mass. Another plus is that they are easy to handle and transport. Pipes carrying oil will stand empty and obsolete when our reserve supply is depleted.
Petroleum is very versatile and can be changed into different forms for different purposes.
It is pumped out of the ground in the form of crude oil, a gooey, dark liquid composed of many different chemical compounds. Oil refineries convert it into useful materials such as kerosene, gasoline, propane, motor oil, road tar, and plastics. The consumption of petroleum doubled from 1948 to 1970. Natural methane gas is easy to use because it can be pumped directly from the production source to the site of consumption. Present in oil wells heated above 150 degrees Celsius during burial, it floats above the heavier liquid petroleum.