British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Primary oil recovery definition

Definition: Primary oil recovery is a method used to bring oil deposits to the surface. A drill is used to sink a shaft into underground oil deposits through which the oil will naturally rise to the surface. The oil rises for a number of reasons - pressure from surrounding rocks, underground water or gas contained within the oil deposits. Roughly 20% of the oil deposit will naturally rise to the surface in this way. Sometimes a pumping jack is used to add pressure into the oil well to bring it to the surface.