History, Exploration & Exploitation of Oil and Gas

This edited volume discusses scientific and technological aspects of the history of the oil and gas industry in national and international contexts.
The search for oil for industrial uses began in the nineteenth century, the first drills made in Azerbaijan and the United States. This intense search for a substance to become one of the most important energy sources was, many times, based on skill as well as luck, resulting in knowledge and the development of prospecting and exploration technologies.
The demand for oil improved expertise in geological science, in areas such as micropaleontology, stratigraphy or sedimentology and informed different disciplines such as geophysics. These contributions made possible not only the discovery of new oil fields but also new applications and methods of exploration. Beyond the scientific and technological aspects, an industry that grew to such considerable size also impacted the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and diplomatic issues in history. The book approaches these changes in different scales, countries, areas, and perspectives.
This edited book appeals to researchers, student, practitioners in various fields from geology and geophysics to history. It is also an important resource for professionals in the oil and gas industry.

Describes the historical development of oil and gas exploration and exploitation over the span of two centuries Presents a recent, updated analysis on a booming subject Focuses on national and international contexts over three continents

Contenu

Ch. 1 From Local to Global: The Petroleum Geologist Hans Höfer von Heimhalt between Empires, Economies, and Epistemologies.- Ch. 2 The history of oil exploration in the State of São Paulo before the foundation of Petrobras (1872-1953).- Ch. 3 Petroleum: new energy perspectives for Brazil in 1922.- Ch. 4 Oil and State - the role of the National Petroleum Council (CNP) in the development of oil geology in Brazil.- Ch. 5 Teapot Dome: The greatest political scandal in the history of the U.S. oil industry.- Ch. 6 Technique and exploration: The beginning of micropaleontology in the Brazilian oil industry.- Ch. 7 From colleague to enemy? German petroleum geologists and the Cold War.- Ch. 8 The incredible transforming history of a former oil refiner into a major deepwater offshore operator: Blending audacity, technology, policy and lucky from the 1970's Oil Crisis up to the 2000's Pre-salt Discoveries.- Ch. 9 Research Partnership between PETROBRAS and Brazilian universities in the past transition to the 21st century. <p