Introduction to Organic Chemistry (START HERE)

Introduction

In Module 5 you will investigate the structure and properties of hydrocarbon molecules. You will learn about the sources of hydrocarbons, and how these natural resources are developed by society. You will learn about the industries that are involved in the extraction, refining, modification, and manipulation of hydrocarbon molecules. You will build on and apply what you learn in this module to your study of petrochemicals in Module 6.

Bigger Picture

As a resident of Alberta you have probably seen many pumpjacks. You might have wondered what pumpjacks are doing in the middle of fields. A pumpjack is installed into an oil well (a hole drilled deep into the ground) to mechanically lift an oil and water mixture out of the ground.

Each stroke of the pumpjack can lift between five and 30 litres of the oil and water mixture. Once the mixture is brought to the surface, the process of refining the crude oil can begin.

Crude oil is one type of fossil fuel. The number of pumpjacks you see in fields indicates that Alberta has a lot of crude oil. You may also have seen evidence of other types of fossil fuel resources being developed. For example, you may have seen evidence of coal mining and natural gas wells.

The abundance of fossil fuel resources in Alberta drives Alberta’s economy and is at the core of many industries in Alberta. The recovery and refinement of fossil fuels makes Alberta a wealthy province.

As important as fossil fuels are to Alberta’s economy, there have always been concerns about the impact the development of fossil fuel resources has on the environment. Does the extraction and refinement of fossil fuels cause irreparable damage to the environment?

Petroleum & Hydrocarbons

Are there structures like the ones shown in this picture in your community? Evidence of Alberta’s petroleum industry is part of the landscape in many parts of the province. Pipelines, flares, and refineries are obvious indications of the level of this industry’s activity in Alberta.   You may have noticed vehicles that have the names of oil and gas companies on them or the names of companies that support the exploration and extraction of oil, natural gas, and oil sand. Those are more obvious examples of the activity of the petroleum industry. Are there other examples of this industry's activity that are less obvious but that still have an impact on your community? Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons. There are six main raw sources of hydrocarbons: natural gas, coal bed methane, crude oil, heavy oil, oil sands, and coal.

Read pages 356–359 in the textbook to learn more about the natural sources of hydrocarbons.  From your reading you have learned that the petroleum industry involves locating, extracting, and refining natural resources. The petrochemical industry is also part of the petroleum industry. In the petrochemical industry, chemicals created from fossil fuels are used to make products such as antifreeze windshield fluid and plastics.

The Alberta Oil Sands

Oil sands development is a hot topic these days. Alberta’s largest oil sands deposit is located around Fort McMurray. The Fort McMurray deposit is estimated to have vast hydrocarbon reserves. Development of these oil sands requires a large financial investment.

View the video “The Alberta Oil Sands: A World of Opportunity” to see how the Government of Alberta is promoting the potential of the oil sands and investment in developing this natural resource. The video has been split into two parts. When Part 1 ends, view Part 2.

Read through “Case Study” on page 360. Make sure you are able to answer the question and “Section 9.1” questions 1–8 on page 361 of the textbook.

Check Your Understanding

Click here to attempt the PreQuiz for this unit.  You must earn at least a 70% on the PreQuiz before you are able to proceed to the first lesson.

Continue to the First Lesson

Click here to continue to the Lessons