11 Crucial Pros and Cons of Oil Energy

There are many utilities to oil energy, particularly when it is in liquid form. This can be utilized as fuel for common vehicles and in generating electricity. The process of producing electricity can be done by burning oil in order to run turbines through steam. Oil can also be used for vehicles in the form of diesel and petrol.

Uses of Oil Energy

On the other hand, crude oil is also be used for many industrial applications, including fertilizers, medicines, plastics, and petroleum products. It is a non-renewable type of fossil fuel formed when pressure and heat compress remains of prehistoric animals, aquatic life, and plants millions of years ago. Oil is drilled then pumped from underground pockets or oil wells. This will then be distilled, a process that separates crude oil byproducts.

After the extraction of oil from the earth, it will be taken into refineries through various oil tankers. Oil can be processed into several products, such as ethane, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas and petrol, among others. Other types of oil can be used as lubricants such as motor oils and grease. Moreover, liquid fuels can be utilized as aviation gasoline, antiknock additives and turbine fuels. Petrol is also useful as it increases engine efficiency.

However, the use of oil has been condemned by some concerned groups. Despite the positive impact of oil for the development of countries around the world, it is being criticized due to violations of the energy regulations. Perhaps after learning about the pros and cons of oil energy, you can determine the significance of this concept which could have a huge impact for many people around the world.

List of Pros of Oil Energy

1. Easily Accessible and Economical
The production of oil energy can be done in almost every country around the world which makes it so accessible to all. Moreover, transporting oil is very easy as it can be done through pipelines due to its liquid form. In terms of cost-effectiveness, oil energy is comparatively cheaper than non-renewable sources of energy.

2. Substantial Type of Energy
Accordingly, oil is said to be a very substantial type of energy as it has been recorded to have a very high energy density. In fact, only a small amount of oil is required to produce a huge amount of energy. Therefore, it has been the choice to power industrial machinery in planes, factories, and vehicles, among others.

3. Steady and Reliable Energy Source
Oil energy is said to be constant due to its ability of providing the source. This is even better compared to other energy sources like the sun or wind. The fact that it can be used all throughout the day without break makes it reason enough to note as a reliable energy source. More so, it never needs to rest for as long as storage is available.

4. Easy to Produce and Refine
Compared to other energy sources, producing oil should not be a reason for concern. This is because it is so much easier to manufacture oil energy. In fact, the process of producing oil follows strict compliance to standards. This can be done in a systematic manner to incur lesser amount of time from the discovery of oil sources to the refining process.

5. Economic Growth Enhancement
Oil energy supplements the economic growth of a nation. This can be done by powering up machines in order to make things easier to build. For this reason, it will be so much easier to get work done in less time which assist in the rapid development of a country. Likewise, it is responsible for the employment of many people from the extraction to the supply points.

6. Essential for Many Industries
Aside from being utilized in many form or transportation, oil is also a vital component in many industries. In fact, it not that easy to find a commodity that plays a major role in many consumer products, including clothing and medicine.

List of Cons of Oil Energy

1. Not a Renewable Source of Energy
Despite the fact that oil energy can get jobs done in an economical way, it is simply not a renewable source of energy. For this reason, there will come a time that it will run out of supply if people will fail to utilize it wisely.

2. Environmental Pollutant
Although the use of oil energy can increase the productivity of every nation, it can also leave hazardous gases such as methane or carbon dioxide as its residue. Thus, the gases will trap the heat and pollute the air, causing problems such as global warming.

3. Oil Leaks can Occur
There are possibilities leading to the occurrence of oil leaks around the extraction points. Oil leaks are said to be a potential hazard for wildlife and mankind alike. Thus, it will cause disasters to the environment as a result to pollution and explosion. More so, it will be difficult to clean up the environment that has been polluted by oil leaks.

4. Oil Drill Disasters
Those who work within extraction areas could face huge risks of explosion and disasters. In fact, a lot of workers have suffered and many have cost their lives due to mishaps that occurred when drilling oil.

5. Possible Emission of Harmful Chemicals
Oil refineries are reportedly emitting harmful substances like sulfur dioxide causing health hazards for many people locate around these areas. One very obvious effect is the occurrence of acid rain. Although modern equipment are able to reduce the impact of such emissions, the effect is still said to be harmful to people.

Final Thoughts

The production of oil is vital for the development of many industrial process. This will then be essential for the economic growth of any country. Nowadays, the cost of oil has decreased due to the discovery of various oil sources around the globe and in part by the use of other forms of energy to fuel vehicles. For this reason, it has given many industries to flourish with the help of cheap sources of oil.