Petroleum: From Beneath Our Feet To Fuelling Our Lives

Take a pen and drop it on the floor. Now drop the same pen onto a table. Does it sound the same or different? Different things make different noises when you hit them. But how does this relate to petroleum exploration?

To find petroleum, noise has to go down through layers of different rocks. Therefore, we need to find out what noise petroleum makes and how it differs from all the other types of rocks that exist in those layers.

On land, geologists look for petroleum by noise from setting off an explosion. Then, they will analyse the different routes of which the noise ‘echoed’. From the data, geologists can decide what types of rocks are under the ground. 

Meanwhile, to look for petroleum at sea, geologists will ‘shoot’ air at a very high pressure at the sea bed. The rocks underneath will ‘echo’ and the result is similar. 

When the rocks are found to have petroleum in them, geologists will drill a hole to harvest them. However, it is quite challenging to drill a hole under the sea. There are places where it is very deep and rough. Even when you drill using a ship, it is hard to get it to stay in one place. In the early days, scientists and engineers designed a ‘fixed platform’. Gradually, they innovate this idea with a ship in mind. The results are platforms which float but stay in one place. 

The next step is to get the petroleum or gas from where they are found to where we want it. How do we move a liquid or a gas? Think of getting a glass of water. If your source is a tap or a well, you would need a pipe to bring the water to where you can reach it. Then you need a glass or container to take the water from where you can reach it to where you can drink it. It is similar with petroleum. There are thousands of kilometres of pipes pumping petroleum down under. Huge ships and tankers, transport the petroleum and gas around the world. 

Our modern way of life has grown to become very dependent on the petroleum industry. Look around us; the vehicle that we drive or ride on, the road that it drives on, the clothes and shoes we wear, make-up, paint, fertilizers and many more things that we can possibly think of. Amazingly, more than 3,000 products that exist now are made possible by petroleum and gas.

Check out more fun and interactive story of science and technology of the petroleum industry at Petrosains the Discovery Centre!  

Shared by Nor Azhar Ishak

Guest Blogger

Travel Back in Time with Petrosains

I was astounded by the variety of exhibitions in Petrosains itself, however, I was particularly attracted to visit the Geotime Diorama. Having a great interest in rocks and nature as a whole, it is natural for me to spend more time in that particular exhibition. It presents prehistoric events in a unique approach. As I entered the exhibition, I was amused by the setting; it was definitely a new world. I was welcomed by the rapping T-Rex which was amusing and fun to listen to. The exhibition consists of many figurines of ancient animals and plants. The sound effects brought me into the ancient times when dinosaurs ruled the world.  I was lucky to have had the chance to explore it and had more opportunities to gain lots of knowledge without rushing through time.

There were so many things to cover although the exhibition hall itself does not seem to be big! I slowly walked down the path while going through each and every information board. It was not your typical museum with science facts all the way; the exhibition is actually interactive! I was able to learn about the texture of rocks which is essential to determine their respective types. Also, it took me back to the ancient times; to experience the smell of air during that period. But I must say that I am grateful with the air we breathe today because the smell of ancient air was so strong and pungent that I could never imagine myself living during that era. Through the facilities that they have, I gained much knowledge about the prehistoric era. Had I not known that the gap between each species existed was large, I would have thought that plants and animals coexist in a similar period of time. I was amused to know that animal and plant fossils actually aid geologists in establishing the age of a rock. What is interesting about this exhibition, other than interactive models, is the language used to explain the facts. It was explained in both Bahasa Melayu and English using common vocabulary to make sure all visitors including children can engage with the information they read. I could see many kids were actually learning through it with the help of their guardian.

I was happy to not only be able to learn but also to convey what I obtained as I had the chance to help visitors to understand some of the hands-on activities. It piqued their interest to learn more and created an environment to nurture curiosity in science. I was so engrossed in the diorama that I lost track of time. Without knowing, I had spent nearly an hour to fully experience that particular exhibition. The amount of knowledge I gained is ten times the size of the exhibition itself!

Although this was not my first time here, the difference is when I was a child, I would just walk pass through it and get excited while looking at the animal and plant figurines without bothering to read through the information boards. I must say that it was a big loss that I did not go through them earlier but I have found a new form of joy hidden in the exhibition today; this place is both educational and inspiring.  It is not only an exhibition on prehistoric creatures but also a source of information on natural resources and their relations to our environment.  So take your time here and you will find yourself immersed in the unforgettable journey at Geotime Diorama.

Shared by Nadrah

Guest Student Blogger