<p> MAIN POINTS TO INTRODUCTION TO PETROLEUM</p><p> 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</p><p> 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?</p><p> 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 ……</p><p>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:</p><p> 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</p><p> 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.</p><p> 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…)</p><p> 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 </p>