MAIN POINTS TO INTRODUCTION TO PETROLEUM

 Petroleum is a Non-renewable resource  Petroleum = Crude Oil  Petroleum is “refined” into fractions of Hydrocarbons (compounds that contain only C and H atoms)  Over ½ of all of the energy needs of the U.S. are met by petroleum  Petroleum is used for: . Gasoline . Heat / electricity . Raw materials for: o Plastics o Pharmaceuticals o Synthetic fibers

 2 Big Choices: Burn it (87%) or Build with it (13%)  Petroleum cost is determined by supply/ demand o What happened the day after 9/11 around here?

 The search for alternative fuels in the 80’s ceased due to cheap crude oil prices (70-90 cent/gallon gas prices)  60% of all the petroleum in the world is in 5 countries: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Aradia, and UAE  The U.S. petroleum reserves from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska would be enough to supply our energy needs for less than 2 years  A final quote from our nutty Russian friend Mendeleev regarding using petroleum as an energy source, he said it would “be akin to firing up a kitchen stove with a bank note” AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK ……

Given our discussion of all of the products that are made of petroleum, and of who and what controls the petroleum reserves in the world, I want you to use your knowledge to write an EDITORIAL COLUMN that addresses your opinion of a war with Iraq. This editorial should focus on the availability of the petroleum reserves, and how a change in that availability might effect your life. A few things to keep in mind:

 A good editorial uses FACTS to support the opinions you represent (You can do MORE research) – and it is your intention to persuade the reader to adopt your opinion

 A good editorial is typed, without errors in grammar or syntax. It would be approximately 1 page typed, double spaced, with 1inch margins, and 12 point font.

 Although the focus of this editorial should be the impending war on Iraq and the effects / role petroleum plays, I would like for you to feel free to include your opinions (backed up by fact of course) on other related issues as well (i.e. humanitarian, geopolitical…)

 I encourage you to spend time on this assignment, it is worth a possible 30 points, and is due the next time I see you 