The Oil & Gas Industry - 9781593702540

This primer is accessible to undergraduates, journalists, activists, those in business, and anyone else who needs a nontechnical overview of equipment and processes related to oil and natural gas extraction and the petroleum industry as a whole. The book's plain language and clear writing style are supported by a wealth of color and b&w photos, illustrations, and process diagrams. After a review of geological origins, chapters cover oil and natural gas reserves, products, and trends in production and consumption. Subsequent chapters explain drilling, operations, transport, and conversion into usable products. There is also material on the structure of the petroleum industry and petroleum trading. Final chapters look at challenges such as environmental compliance, security, and competition from China. In addition to a glossary of terms and acronyms, the book lists technical books, professional articles, and general interest sources, and provides a directory of trade associations, government agencies, and international energy organizations. Hilyard, a writer on energy and environmental topics, holds a BS in mechanical engineering and a MA in journalism. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)