Illustrated Handbook of Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum has played an important role in the social, economic, and political history of the world. Modern civilisation cannot think of a day without petroleum and petrochemicals. Petroleum fuels, such a gasoline and diesel, are the major fuels for all transportation vehicles. Commodities manufactured from petrochemicals, for example, plastics, rubbers and synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, have become part and parcel of our daily life. The absence of petroleum will cause an end to our modern civilization unless alternative means are available.

Illustrated Handbook of Petroleum Engineering presents a comprehensive introduction of basic tools and techniques in production geology, the links with related subjects, and the function of geologists in the planning and operation of all petroleum production activities.

With the industrialization that was occurring in the early 1900’s, petroleum was becoming a more important consumption resource. Petroleum was now needed in internal combustion engines that were used for transportation as well as in machinery that was used in production. Petroleum was also becoming a more popular form of energy in residential and commercial areas for heating, cooking, and other uses. During this time period petroleum was gaining importance in the industrial sector as a new and very important part of production. Electricity also became an important use of petroleum that helped add to increasing demand for petroleum as well. Petroleum refining is a unique and critical link in the petroleum supply chain, from the wellhead to the pump. The other links add value to petroleum mainly by moving and storing it (e.g., lifting crude oil to the surface; moving crude oil from oil fields to storage facilities and then to refineries; moving refined products from refinery to terminals and end-use locations, etc.). Refining adds value by converting crude oil (which in itself has little end-use value) into a range of refined products, including transportation fuels. The primary economic objective in refining is to maximize the value added in converting crude oil into finished products.