Write a geographical account of petroleum mining in North Africa under the following headings: (a) Major areas (b) Methods of mining (c) Transportation (d) ...

Answer Details

Petroleum Mining in North Africa

The sketch map below shows the major petroleum-producing areas of North Africa, the main pipelines and the coastal export terminals referred to in this answer.

(a) Major areas

The chief producing countries are Libya, Algeria, Egypt and, in smaller quantities, Tunisia.

• Libya: the main fields lie in the Sirte (Sirtica) Basin - Zelten (Nasser), Sarir, Amal and Waha.
• Algeria: the great inland Saharan fields of Hassi Messaoud (oil) and Hassi R'Mel (oil and natural gas).
• Egypt: production comes from the Gulf of Suez, the Sinai Peninsula and the Western Desert.
• Tunisia: smaller fields such as El Borma in the south.

(b) Methods of mining

Petroleum is obtained by drilling, in the following stages:

1. The oil-bearing (reservoir) rocks are first located by geological and geophysical survey, chiefly seismic prospecting, and the underground rocks are sampled and tested for traces of oil.
2. When a promising oil trap is found, a well is sunk to reach it by means of a drilling rig (derrick). Drilling may be on land in the desert or offshore on the continental shelf (as in the Gulf of Suez).
3. Where there is enough natural underground (gas) pressure, the crude oil flows up the well on its own; where the pressure is low it is brought up by pumping.
4. A system of valves fitted at the well-head, called a "Christmas tree", is used to control the flow of crude oil into storage tanks.
5. At the surface the crude oil is separated from gas and water and stored in tanks before being sent for refining or export.

(c) Transportation

Crude oil is moved from the desert fields to the coast mainly through pipelines - for example to the Libyan terminals at Marsa el Brega and Es Sider, and to the Algerian terminals at Skikda and Arzew. From these coastal terminals the oil is loaded into oil tankers (ships) and exported across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and beyond. Natural gas is likewise piped to the coast and shipped as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

(d) Importance to the economy

1. It is the chief source of foreign-exchange earnings and government revenue.
2. When refined it yields petrol, kerosene, diesel and gas for domestic use and industry.
3. Its by-products are used in making insecticides, petroleum jelly, lubricating oil and other chemicals, so it has led to the growth of refineries and petro-chemical industries.
4. It provides raw materials for many associated industries and has encouraged urban, road and port development.
5. It provides gainful employment for many people, directly and indirectly.