Petroleum is mostly referred to as crude oil.

Modern petroleum usage began in Pennsylvania in 1859, when a commercial well started production.

Refineries have sprung up all over the U>S> Here, crude oil was used to produce oil products like kerosene which was used mainly for lighting at the time. Electricity had not yet been invented.

Later, the invention of the internal-combustion engine and the automobile caused a demand for a new product---Gasoline.

Oil is a major source of energy for the world. Nearly half of the world’s energy consumption came from oil or oil products (combined with natural gas) in the 90’s.

The Middle East holds more than half (50%) of the world’s oil reserves. The US holds only 2%!

Job Descriptions

TASK MASTER-Keep your group on the job.

TIME KEEPER-Watch the time, and give the two minute warning.

RECORDER-Write down the answers your group gives you on this paper.

REPORTER-Report to the class what your group learned using this paper.

READER(S)-Read the Petroleum summary out loud to your group.
 

Directions: Use your Petroleum summary to answer these questions.

1. What is petroleum usually referred to as?

2. Where, when, and why did modern petroleum usage begin?

3. What happens at an oil refinery?

4. What uses do kerosene and gasoline have?

5. Explain why the supply of oil in the Middle East is so important to the rest of the world? Use the back of this sheet if you need to.