Oil Production & Consumption
Objective: To analyse the global patterns and trends in the production and consumption of oil.
Starter - Watch the GOOD video to the right. Task 1 - Watch the videos embedded. Ensure that you take notes from each under the following headings: i. CNN Global Oil Reserves - Where does our oil come from now? ii. Oil Production Has Peaked - How have the patterns and trends of global oil consumption changed in recent years? Make notes on this worksheet. **3.00 - Make a sketch of the Hubbert's Peak graph on your sheet and annotate with data from the video** "The better you do the job of exploiting oil and gas, the sooner that it is gone" iii. Qatar Rides The Oil Boom - How do oil & resources help development? Then check out this GapMinder chart. Task 2 - Study the two inflated/deflated maps below. Take a copy of each and then add titles. (Click on each to enlarge) 1. Shows Crude Petroleum Exports 2. Shows Crude Petroleum Imports Which one is which? Use evidence from the maps and your own knowledge and understanding to explain the differences making reference to specific regions and distortion shapes. |
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Task 3 - Go to the following web pages and complete the activities:
a. Click here to be taken to a Wikipedia list of top oil producing nations. Alter the list by clicking on the sort arrow for 'Production bbl/day. Make a notes of the top 5 countries in terms of their production and the value for each. Is there a pattern in terms of geographic location?
b. On the same page, alter the 'Consumption bbl/day' tab so that it shows the biggest consumers. Make a note of the top 5 consuming countries. Are there any patterns that can be linked to population and development? Are there major disparities between the consumers and what they produce?
Task 4 - Click here to be taken to a worksheet. Complete all four questions set out using the data on the sheet to help you. You will need to know the difference between a pattern & trend.
a. Click here to be taken to a Wikipedia list of top oil producing nations. Alter the list by clicking on the sort arrow for 'Production bbl/day. Make a notes of the top 5 countries in terms of their production and the value for each. Is there a pattern in terms of geographic location?
b. On the same page, alter the 'Consumption bbl/day' tab so that it shows the biggest consumers. Make a note of the top 5 consuming countries. Are there any patterns that can be linked to population and development? Are there major disparities between the consumers and what they produce?
Task 4 - Click here to be taken to a worksheet. Complete all four questions set out using the data on the sheet to help you. You will need to know the difference between a pattern & trend.
Level 6 &7 Additional Research Task
Watch the promotional video from Shell to the right hand side. This video examines the role of Shell in Nigeria, Africa. Outline the problems faced by the country, criminal impacts on the company and what Shell is doing to "improve lives" of people in the country. Update - November 2016 - Read this article about ongoing legal action being played out in a UK court. To what extent does Shell bring socio economic benefits to Nigeria? |
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Environmental Impact of
Increased Oil Demand
Objective: To examine the environmental impacts of the increased demand for and production of oil.
Task 1 - You will build up a case study of the environmental impacts of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill (Deepwater Horizon) Using the resources here and elsewhere, build a case study that covers the following questions:
Resources (to get you started) Timeline of events - Time Magazine (Excellent!) There are a huge number of resources here - The Guardian Online ..and here - The Huffington Post See what Barack Obama & The White House had to say too. Not forgetting the BBC and their coverage. Transocean and their role in the disaster Task 2 - Paper 1 - Section 5 Question Example: Discuss the environmental consequences of increasing international demand for one raw material. [15 marks] Please use the structure sheet below to partially answer the question above. An introduction and first of the three parts has been completed for you. You need to complete the last two parts of the main section and then conclude using the information in this section. Click the document tab below to access this sheet. ![]()
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Geopolitics - Increased Demand for Oil
Objective: To examine the geopolitical impacts of the increased demand for and production of oil.
Starter: Why are fossil fuel reserves growing? Task 1 - Make notes on the following political factors that have influenced the demand and production of oil - Use the worksheet to the right (summary fact sheet here) International relations: If your country depends on foreign imports of oil, it is very important that you are able to maintain good relations. This is not always possible as highlighted by the relationship between the US and Venezuela. Selling Crude to Los Imperialistas - Venezuela & US diplomatic relations. Political instability: Many countries that are rich in oil are politically unstable. Political instability can effect supplies and cause price increases. Libya has had recent political problems and countries like Iran and Iraq are not totally stable. Political Instability in Libya and reduction in oil extraction Shell Oil Hostages Taken in Nigeria - Daily Mail Emissions quotas: International agreements like Kyoto are setting greenhouse gas emission quotas. Individual regions like the EU and France are also setting targets. With targets to meet more countries are looking to invest in alternatives (renewable energy that pollutes less). UK to miss carbon emissions targets - Guardian article Carbon tax: If carbon taxes are introduced it will greatly increase the value of oil products, making alternatives relatively cheap and more attractive. France & its Carbon Tax - 2017 NGO pressure: NGOs are becoming increasingly vocal in their fight against fossil fuels and promotion of greener alternatives. As more consumers listen to NGOs, governments and energy companies are likely to find alternatives. Greenpeace & Responses - Releasing Graphic Images to the Daily Mail. |
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Alternative Sources of Energy

Objective: To examine the changing importance of other energy sources.
Task: You are going to be splitting into pairs to complete a fact finding mission about three alternative sources of energy. You will evaluate their potential to replace the traditional fossil fuel approach to energy generation in countries of all levels of economic development. Presentation will be in front of the rest of the group.
Three case study energy sources will be Biofuels, Wind and Solar Power.
Task 1 - Download this worksheet and use the links to build up your knowledge and understanding of these fuel types.
Task 2 - Create a 2 slide (PowerPoint, Prezzie) case study of your chosen energy source with the following information included:
i. Location map to show suitable places to generate this type of energy (e.g. wind/solar power suitability map, location to grow Algae etc)
ii. Details of how this form of energy can be harnessed (the production and mechanisms). Add images.
iii. Case study of domestic & industrial use in MEDC's (name and details scheme)
iv. Case study of practical uses in LEDC's (name and detail scheme)
v. Drawbacks and criticisms
vi. Evaluation of suitability for future mass use.
Task 3 - Examine the changing importance of three energy alternatives to oil [15 Marks].
Your teacher will write the introduction to this piece of work (see below) and you will be responsible for your third of the middle section (as per the IB essay planner). One this has been collated, you will also have to write your own conclusion to the essay.
Task: You are going to be splitting into pairs to complete a fact finding mission about three alternative sources of energy. You will evaluate their potential to replace the traditional fossil fuel approach to energy generation in countries of all levels of economic development. Presentation will be in front of the rest of the group.
Three case study energy sources will be Biofuels, Wind and Solar Power.
Task 1 - Download this worksheet and use the links to build up your knowledge and understanding of these fuel types.
Task 2 - Create a 2 slide (PowerPoint, Prezzie) case study of your chosen energy source with the following information included:
i. Location map to show suitable places to generate this type of energy (e.g. wind/solar power suitability map, location to grow Algae etc)
ii. Details of how this form of energy can be harnessed (the production and mechanisms). Add images.
iii. Case study of domestic & industrial use in MEDC's (name and details scheme)
iv. Case study of practical uses in LEDC's (name and detail scheme)
v. Drawbacks and criticisms
vi. Evaluation of suitability for future mass use.
Task 3 - Examine the changing importance of three energy alternatives to oil [15 Marks].
Your teacher will write the introduction to this piece of work (see below) and you will be responsible for your third of the middle section (as per the IB essay planner). One this has been collated, you will also have to write your own conclusion to the essay.
Introduction to IB Essay.
In 2017, oil continues to fuel the modern world. No other substance on earth can equal the enormous impact which the use of oil has had on so many people, so rapidly, in so many ways, and in so many places around the world.
Oil in its various refined forms, such as petrol, kerosene, and diesel, has a unique combination of many desirable and useful characteristics including current availability in (decreasing) abundance, ease of transportation and storage and great versatility in end use. Oil is also useful as more than an energy source. It is the basis for the manufacture of petrochemical products including plastics, medicines, paints, and a huge number of other useful materials.
Alternative energy sources must be compared with oil in all these various attributes when their substitution for oil is considered. To the untrained geographer, none appears to completely equal oil. This essay will explore the extent to which bio-fuels wind and solar power could be considered as a long term replacement for oil and their changing importance in countries at different levels of development.