The search for oil is always difficult and expensive. It may be several years before any results are obtained. But the search must go on. Oil is very important in the modern world. It is more important than any other commodity. Many of the things we use every day come from oil. Without oil, modern life would be very different.
When oil is found, a well is sunk. The well is drilled by a machine called a derrick. The derrick is a tall tower made of steel. It holds the drilling equipment. The drill goes down through the earth until it reaches the oil. This may be thousands of feet below the surface. The process can take many months.
Once oil is found, it must be brought to the surface. The oil flows up through the well. Sometimes the oil comes up by itself because of natural pressure. Other times it must be pumped up. The crude oil is then sent to a refinery. At the refinery, it is processed into many different products.
Oil is used to make many products. Petrol for cars comes from oil. Plastic is made from oil. Many medicines are made from oil. Soap and detergents come from oil. Even some foods contain oil products. Without oil, our modern way of life would be impossible.
Oil will not last forever. Scientists think that oil supplies will run out in the future. That is why we must find new sources of energy. Solar power, wind power, and nuclear power are being developed. We must also learn to use less oil and find ways to recycle oil products.