OCR GCSE
Science
Activity C1d.2
Science in the news 2: Worried about the oil supply?
Aim
You are asked to look at some conflicting data
about the world oil reserves and make a
conclusion based on this data and other evidence.
refer to the accuracy and reliability of the data.
At the end of your report, you should reach a
conclusion as to whether the total oil reserves
are diminishing or not.
What to do
1
Read these two conflicting views about the
world oil reserves and the information
which follows it.
NEW RESERVES
Technology has improved so much over the last 10-15
years that companies can now get at oil reserves that
previously would have been considered impossible.
And over the next decade or so even better
technologies will come on stream. There are a number
of newly developing fields around the world such as
Azerbaijan, Russia and Angola
Gigabarrels of crude oil
1200
3
The charts A and B show two different
ideas about how the oil reserves have
changed over the past few years. The next
two charts show the extent of oil discovery
and oil discovery minus the amount we use
(consume) each year. Study these charts
carefully and look for any trends.
Imagine that you are an adviser to the
government. Write a short report (about 150
words) to suggest which chart, A or B, could
be most accurately used to predict future trends
in oil reserves. In your report you should also
400
1985
1990
1995
2000
Chart B
1000
800
600
400
200
0
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Gigabarrels annually
80
Oil discoveries per year
60
40
20
0
1980
30
Gigabarrels annually
2
600
1200
Oil and Gas Journal, 7th March 2005
Different countries use different figures for
proven oil reserves. These are based on rough
estimates gained from the rate of extraction of
the oil. The USA uses the minimum likely
value, the former Soviet republics use the
maximum likely value and other countries use
the average likely value. The amount of oil in
a reserve can only be accurately estimated
half way through its production life.
800
0
1980
Gigabarrels of crude oil
OIL SUPPLY CHALLENGES
1000
200
BBC world news online 20th April 2004.
The imminent inability of non-OPEC oil production to
meet its demand and its decline after 2010
precipitates the second (oil) crisis as OPECs
diminishing spare capacity becomes less and less
able to meet demand.
Chart A
1990
2000
Discovery minus consumption
20
10
0
–10
–20
–30
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
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© Harcourt Education 2006, OCR Gateway Science
This document may have been altered from the original.