Petroleum

**Petroleum** is a naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth's surface. It is commonly refined into various types of fuels. It is a vital part of Japan's economic and technological might in the New World.

## Overview

It consists of naturally occurring hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and may contain miscellaneous organic compounds. The name *petroleum* covers both naturally occurring unprocessed crude oil and petroleum products that are made up of refined crude oil. A fossil fuel, petroleum is formed when large quantities of dead organisms, mostly zooplankton and algae, are buried underneath sedimentary rock and subjected to both intense heat and pressure.

Petroleum has mostly been recovered by oil drilling (natural petroleum springs are rare). Drilling is carried out after studies of structural geology (at the reservoir scale), sedimentary basin analysis, and reservoir characterization (mainly in terms of the porosity and permeability of geologic reservoir structures) have been completed. It is refined and separated, most easily by distillation, into numerous consumer products, from gasoline (petrol) and kerosene to asphalt and chemical reagents used to make plastics, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Petroleum is used in manufacturing a wide variety of materials.

## Petroleum in the New World

### Third Civilization Area and Outside the Civilized Areas

Since most of this region relied on magic and was still within the medieval level of technology, petroleum was seen as a mostly useless substance. In the Quila Kingdom, it was termed as 'burning water.' However, when Japan sent out some geological surveyor teams to investigate, it was discovered that Quila possessed huge crude oil reserves. As a result, Japan immediately established diplomatic relations with the Quila Kingdom and began exporting infrastructure improvements and consumer goods, in exchange for oil drilling and processing rights.

### Second Civilization Area and the Gra Valkas Empire

Since Mu and the Gra Valkas Empire both make use of the internal combustion engine, they both have the need for diesel, gasoline and other types of fossil fuels. Whether they import their fuel from other sources or have their own reserves is currently unknown. Due to their relationship with Japan, Mu's ability to refine petroleum has greatly increased as Japan has invested in refineries and other processing plants in Mykal. However, they still depend on Japan for imports such as jet fuel and other petroleum-based materials like high-strength plastics and synthetics.

The Gra Valkas Empire is currently experiencing a petrol shortage within its borders, presumably due to losing access to its colonies on its home planet and the massive needs of its mechanized military.

### First Civilization Area

As they are still adhering to their magic-based technology, countries such as the Holy Milishial Empire do not see petroleum as essential and instead power their technology through spells and magic gemstones.

### Japan

Japan is the most frequent user of petroleum and has the highest level of technology in utilizing it. However, they are also researching alternative means to petroleum as they know it is a limited resource and will eventually run out. One of the alternative fuel Japan research at is renewable fuel such as Solar Fuel where it can be recharged by having the vehicle bathed under the sun along with electric technology that allows them to self-sustain even without the reliance on sunlight.