The deepest well from which water can be pumped, by creating a vacuum on the top end of the pipe, is 10 m (34 ft). In drilling for oil, wells of a mile or more in depth have to be made. From this depth, how do you think the oil is recovered?
.
a pump is lowered into the hole, and the oil is pushed up.
Or, a pipe inside another pipe is pushed down, and air or water is pumped down the outside, and oil is thus pushed up the inside.
Or, google pumping oil from deep wells.
To recover oil from wells that are a mile or more in depth, a process called oil drilling and extraction is used. Here's how it typically works:
1. Drilling: A drill rig is set up at the drilling site. A drill bit is attached to the end of a drill pipe, which is then lowered into the well. The drill bit rotates and cuts through rock layers, creating a hole in the ground.
2. Casing: As drilling progresses, steel pipes called casings are inserted into the well. These casings help to stabilize the well and prevent it from collapsing. Cement is then poured into the gap between the casings and the well wall to secure them in place.
3. Extraction: Once the well has reached the desired depth, the drilling rig is removed, and specialized equipment is used for oil extraction. Two primary methods are commonly employed:
a. Pumping: In this method, a pump is placed at the surface to create pressure and suck the oil up through the well. This is typically used in shallow wells or reservoirs where the oil flows relatively easily.
b. Artificial Lift: For deeper wells or reservoirs with lower pressure, artificial lift methods are employed. These methods include using pumps, gas lift systems, or even applying heat to reduce the viscosity of the oil, making it easier to extract.
4. Separation and Processing: Once the oil reaches the surface, it is separated from any water or gas that may have been extracted along with it. The oil is then transported to processing facilities where impurities are removed, and it goes through various refining processes to produce usable products like gasoline, diesel, or other petroleum derivatives.
It's important to note that drilling for oil involves a complex and specialized process, and the specific techniques used can vary depending on factors such as the characteristics of the oil reservoir and the depth of the well.