How is oil actually extracted from the ground?
Quick Answer
Oil extraction ranges from simple wells where oil flows naturally (primary recovery) to complex operations injecting water, gas, or chemicals to push oil out (secondary/tertiary recovery). Modern techniques include horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for tight formations. Offshore extraction uses platforms, subsea equipment, and can occur in deep water over 2,000 meters.
Key Numbers
Full Analysis
In-depth exploration with citations and evidence
Extraction Methods#
Primary Recovery (Natural Flow)
Oil flows to surface driven by:
- Natural reservoir pressure
- Dissolved gas expansion
- Gravity
- Yields: 5-15% of oil in place
Secondary Recovery (Pressure Maintenance)
Injecting fluids to maintain pressure:
- Water flooding
- Gas injection
- Yields additional: 15-25%
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
Advanced techniques for remaining oil:
- CO2 injection
- Steam injection
- Chemical flooding
- Yields additional: 5-15%
Modern Techniques#
Horizontal Drilling
- Drill vertically, then turn horizontal
- Access more reservoir from single well
- Essential for tight oil and shale
Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
- Pump fluid at high pressure
- Creates cracks in rock
- Props open with sand/proppant
- Unlocked shale oil revolution
Offshore Technology
- Fixed platforms (shallow water)
- Floating production systems (deep water)
- Subsea completions (remote locations)
The Production Process#
Onshore
- Drill well (days to weeks)
- Complete with casing and tubing
- Connect to gathering system
- Process at separation facility
- Transport via pipeline or truck
Offshore
- Platform or vessel drilling
- Subsea or topside processing
- Pipeline to shore or tanker offloading
- Onshore refining
Environmental Considerations#
Key concerns vary by method:
- Conventional: Spills, flaring, land disturbance
- Fracking: Water use, induced seismicity, methane
- Offshore: Spill risk, habitat disruption
- Arctic: Fragile ecosystem impacts
Steelmanned Counterarguments
We present the strongest version of opposing viewpoints—not strawmen.
1Fracking is uniquely dangerous.
Hydraulic fracturing has genuine environmental concerns (water use, induced seismicity, methane leaks), but it's not uniquely dangerous compared to other industrial activities when properly regulated. Concerns are valid but should be proportionate.