Reasons why Nigeria became the leading oil producer of the period 1979
Discovery of new oil fields in the continental shelf off coast and in the broad area inland in the sedimentary basin.
Oil is clean and of high grade suited to industrial manufacture. This has attracted market from the rich capitalist western countries such as Britain, U.S.A America and Japan.
Availability of capital from about 16 companies most of which are from U.S.A.
The establishment of refineries at Elome, Wari and Kaduna provided incentives in the search for more new oil in Nigeria.
Nigeria's proximity to western Europe minimised transport.
However, though Nigeria leads in the production of oil in Africa, she is not self sufficient in energy supply because most of the oil i.e. 85% is exported in crude form for refining abroad.
The addition of two refineries is expected to relieve Nigeria of the problem of refining and high costs involved.
Activity
QUESTION FIFTY EIGHT
The table below shows the production of crude oil in Libya between 1968 and 1969. Study it and answer the questions that follow:
|
YEAR |
METRIC
TONES |
|
1968 |
125.0 |
|
1970 |
159.3 |
|
1972 |
105.0 |
|
1974 |
73.4. |
|
1976 |
93.3 |
|
1978 |
98.7 |
|
1979 |
99.2 |
(a) Using the figures provided in the table, draw a bar graph to illustrate the production of crude oil in Libya between 1968 and 1979.
(b) Describe how:
(i) Oil is formed, (ii) Mined (iii) Processed
(c) Outline the problems Libya is experiencing in the exploitation and marketing of oil.
(d) What is the importance of mineral oil to Libya?
(e) Draw a sketch map of Libya and show the oil mines.
POSSIBLE ANSWERS:
58(a) Bar graph showing production of crude oil in libya between 1968-1979
(b)(i) The formation of oil can be described as follows:
i. Oil is formed from the dead plants, animals and micro organisms which are buried gradually within the sand and mud layers.
ii. The fatty parts of some of the living organisms change under increasing pressure to form oil and gas.
iii. If the oil is contained in porous rock, it will flow to the places near the surface of the earth where the pressure is less.
(ii)i. Oil mining starts with the search of rock structures which might contain oil by the geologists.
ii. The oil is mined using the drilling.
iii. After mining the oil is transported in crude form, the refining takes place as near as possible to the markets where it is to be consumed.
iv. It is refined into different products like petrol, diesel, gas, and kerosene.