The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Life Sciences
  3. The Environment
  4. What does "the oil will settle back into the ground" mean?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

What does "the oil will settle back into the ground" mean?

  • 1 Replies
  • 5382 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline CliffordK (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 6595
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 59 times
  • Site Moderator
    • View Profile
What does "the oil will settle back into the ground" mean?
« on: 23/05/2012 15:51:19 »
I was listening to NPR today. 
They said that Iran was in a tight spot that they could not just shut down oil wells if the boycott broadens.

Quote from: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/23/153328371/iran-in-tough-spot-as-sanctions-take-economic-toll
A million unsold barrels a day would mean a huge revenue loss for Iran. If Iran has to shut down some of its wells, the oil will settle back into the ground and it could be harder to get it out again.

Any ideas what this means?

It would seem like they would merely shut down the pumps, and stop pumping.  Are they discussing re-injection oil into the wells?  Why?

Logged
 



Offline evan_au

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 10350
  • Activity:
    35.5%
  • Thanked: 1246 times
    • View Profile
Re: What does "the oil will settle back into the ground" mean?
« Reply #1 on: 21/06/2012 12:18:51 »
Perhaps:
At present the oil pipes are full of oil, and that will continue as long as they keep pumping. As soon as they stop pumping, the oil will start to sink down the pipes, so it will take longer to start flowing.
They often inject water into older wells to improve the flow. If they stop injecting, it may take longer to get the oil flowing later.
Equipment only works smoothly while it is being maintained. If you leave it unmanned for some time, it will need to be repaired before it can be used again.
Logged
 



  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags:
 

Similar topics (5)

Is it possible to convert electric energy into light energy then back?

Started by skoorbBoard General Science

Replies: 5
Views: 10957
Last post 27/09/2017 20:15:08
by alancalverd
Will cold foods make a cold (viral infection) come back?

Started by Mickael ElmalemBoard Cells, Microbes & Viruses

Replies: 1
Views: 6130
Last post 26/03/2011 23:20:13
by Jolly- Joliver
Can cardiac scar tissue be converted back to cardiac muscle?

Started by thedocBoard Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 1
Views: 4808
Last post 23/04/2012 08:22:56
by CliffordK
Does dogs hair or human hair grow back faster?

Started by thedocBoard Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution

Replies: 2
Views: 8062
Last post 16/09/2015 11:31:55
by nicephotog
Why did a piece of sticky tape on the magnetic strip bring my card back to life?

Started by gsmollinBoard General Science

Replies: 8
Views: 29006
Last post 24/07/2019 18:52:50
by watermaaan
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.139 seconds with 34 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.