Authors :
Kalu, E. O; Okeke O. C; Amadi, C. C; Akudike, J. C; Dozie, O. T; Sunday, E. U; Okonkwo, S. I
Volume/Issue :
Volume 5 - 2020, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/9nMw
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/32iIpe3
DOI :
10.38124/IJISRT20AUG809
Abstract :
Unconventional hydrocarbon energy
resources are non renewable energy resources whose
major constituents are hydrogen and carbon. They have
indistinct source rock- reservoir rocks-trap rocks
characteristics/boundaries and unique exploitation
technologies including mining and processing (surface
and underground production using retorts for
exploitation of oil shale and coking units for exploitation
of bitumen; in-situ treatment and recovery
(underground production using thermal treatment,
chemical flooding and gas injection for exploitation of
heavy oils in particular); and well production
/underground production using vertical drilling,
horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Only well
production technology is applicable to conventional
hydrocarbon energy resources, that is petroleum and
natural gas exploitation. There are five classes of
unconventional hydrocarbon energy resources
including: coal bed methane (CBM), oil shale, shale
gas/shale oil, heavy oil/bitumen, and natural gas
hydrates. Worldwide, the recoverable methane from
coal bed methane resources is about 2625 tcf. Similarly,
the recoverable billions of barrels of oil from shale oil,
heavy oil and bitumen, resources worldwide are
28626,443 and 651, respectively. Over 90% of these,
that is, shale oil, heavy oil and bitumen are found in
USA Venezuela and Canada respectively. The
environmental problems associated with development of
unconventional hydrocarbon energy resources include:
surface/groundwater pollution; water depletion; air
pollution and hazards of solid wastes from oil shale and
bitumen mining/ processing. However, energy produced
from unconventional hydrocarbon energy resources are
similar to those produced from other (conventional)
energy resources and can be equally used for various
purposes including industrial, residential,
transportation and commercial.
Keywords :
Unconventional, Energy Resources, Shale Gas, Oil Shale, Bitumen and Water Pollution
Unconventional hydrocarbon energy
resources are non renewable energy resources whose
major constituents are hydrogen and carbon. They have
indistinct source rock- reservoir rocks-trap rocks
characteristics/boundaries and unique exploitation
technologies including mining and processing (surface
and underground production using retorts for
exploitation of oil shale and coking units for exploitation
of bitumen; in-situ treatment and recovery
(underground production using thermal treatment,
chemical flooding and gas injection for exploitation of
heavy oils in particular); and well production
/underground production using vertical drilling,
horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Only well
production technology is applicable to conventional
hydrocarbon energy resources, that is petroleum and
natural gas exploitation. There are five classes of
unconventional hydrocarbon energy resources
including: coal bed methane (CBM), oil shale, shale
gas/shale oil, heavy oil/bitumen, and natural gas
hydrates. Worldwide, the recoverable methane from
coal bed methane resources is about 2625 tcf. Similarly,
the recoverable billions of barrels of oil from shale oil,
heavy oil and bitumen, resources worldwide are
28626,443 and 651, respectively. Over 90% of these,
that is, shale oil, heavy oil and bitumen are found in
USA Venezuela and Canada respectively. The
environmental problems associated with development of
unconventional hydrocarbon energy resources include:
surface/groundwater pollution; water depletion; air
pollution and hazards of solid wastes from oil shale and
bitumen mining/ processing. However, energy produced
from unconventional hydrocarbon energy resources are
similar to those produced from other (conventional)
energy resources and can be equally used for various
purposes including industrial, residential,
transportation and commercial.
Keywords :
Unconventional, Energy Resources, Shale Gas, Oil Shale, Bitumen and Water Pollution
