Did you know there was a National Petroleum Day? Well, there is ……. and August 27 is that day! It is also known as Oil and Gas Industry Appreciation Day.
Crude oil was first pumped from the ground in China’s Sichuan Province 2,500 years ago. U.S. discovery is credited to Edwin L Drake on August 27, 1858 in Titusville, Pennsylvania. He struck oil 70 feet beneath the surface in Titusville, thus launching the modern-day petroleum industry in the USA.
Crude Oil and other liquids produced from fossil fuels are refined into petroleum products that people use for many different purposes. Biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are also used as petroleum products, mainly in mixtures with gasoline and diesel fuel.
The United States consumes more energy from petroleum than from any other energy source. In 2016, total U.S. petroleum consumption was about 19.7 million barrels per day (d/b). This is equivalent to about 37% of all the energy consumed in the United States.
Petroleum is an integral part of modern life. Some of the world’s largest businesses extract and process it while other create product that use hydrocarbons or are petroleum-based: asphalt, plastics, fertilizers, care tires, candles, ammonia, CDs, crayons, perfumes, deodorants, hear valves, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fabrics and bubble gum, to name a few.
My challenge to you on National Petroleum Day, let’s consider all the ways petroleum has enhanced your life.
Sources:
https://www.worldwideweirdholidays.com/august-27-national-petroleum-day/;
https://www.awarenessdays.com/us/awareness-days-calendar/national-petroleum-day-2018/;
