Ways the Petroleum Industry Has Evolved
Most people use a byproduct of the petroleum industry in some way daily. Whether it’s the gas in our car or the fuel in the plane that’s about to take off, the petroleum industry is important to our daily lives nonetheless. However, with something so important to most individuals and businesses, many of us don’t know how we got to where we are today. So let’s look at a few ways the petroleum industry has evolved over the years.
Brief History
George Bissell and Edwin Drake successfully drilled the first American oil well in 1859. Both men realized that they were onto something groundbreaking when they were able to repeat the process successfully, which paved the way for further innovation. Out of Bissell and Drake’s process began the modernization of offshore drilling in 1891. Over the years Saudi Arabia became the largest oil producer in the world, and technology improved significantly.
Technology and Equipment
Between supercomputers and seismic imaging, oil companies have been able to find new oil wells significantly easier, making their job much more efficient. Engineers have found that they can pair supercomputers with other technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, along with drones to improve efficiency. Additionally, some companies have grown in popularity significantly because of their quality petroleum piping materials, such as gate and ball valves.
The Workforce
The petroleum industry employs over one million people, and the number continues to grow. However, since much of the oil is overseas, a potential downside to working in the petroleum industry is numerous workers must remain overseas. Luckily, many companies understand that working overseas for long periods of time can be challenging for workers with families. So a lot of petroleum companies offer financial help with education support for workers’ children. Not to mention these workers make great money, which allows the other parent or guardian to stay home and take care of their children.
Whether you’re like us and get frustrated when gas prices suddenly skyrocket or you work at an oil field, the petroleum industry affects everyone. As you can see, the petroleum industry has evolved significantly since 1859. Without oil, many of us wouldn’t be able to travel, economies would struggle, and many companies would have a difficult time operating.
