Energy independence13 Sep 2018 08:47
Gas finds can make us energy independent from places like Russia
Oil finds cant, as oil in the UK is not the same as oil found in Saudi
They have different qualities, differing prices and different characteristics
Our oil is light, their oil is heavy
Our oil is used in refineries to blend with their oil, cracked and then produces all the weird and wonderful products that we rely on. Yet some, who dont understand the process claim that we export our oil and thus are selling off our energy independence, when it simply isnt the case.
Our oil alone cannot produce the petrols, the chemicals etc on a cost effective basis or chemical basis on its own. This is why blending occurs with other oils from around the world.
If we didnt do that, if we didnt export our oil to refineries around the world then yes we would still have lots of oil, premium oil in fact, but we wouldnt have diesel fuel for instance as our oil wont make it on its own.
So we'd end up with huge quantities of high quality oil, which is worth a premium against other oils but not being able to sell it abroad at a net profit when having to import cheaper types so as we can blwnd it and make for instance, diesel.