Energy Resources: Fossil Fuels

Coal
Burns energy stored by plants millions of years ago
Air pollution
Surface scarring

Oil and Natural Gas
More than 60% of U.S.-consumed energy
Remains of marine plants and animals
Source rock – where oil and natural gas originate
Oil trap – geologic environment allowing oil and gas to accumulate
   
Oil trap – two basic features
Reservoir rock
Porous and permeable
Yields oil and gas in significant quantities
Cap rock
Impermeable
Keeps oil and gas from surface escape

Common oil and natural gas traps
Anticline – up-arched sedimentary strata
Fault trap – displaced strata
Salt dome – includes layers of rock salt
Stratigraphic (pinchout) trap – original sedimentation pattern