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Questions tagged [oil]

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5 votes
4 answers
750 views

Would it be the end of modern civilisation if there wasn't any oil?

In the modern world, a lot of products around are from oil-based derivatives or processed organic compounds. Ranging from clothing, footwear, insulation, cars, computers, phones, etc. People are not ...
Cutter's user avatar
  • 59
-3 votes
1 answer
105 views

Other ways "Fossil fuels" can form [closed]

For clarification my question is: What are some other ways hydrocarbons can form? Okay for context in my world people traveled to another planet and found hydrocarbons in the ground (coal, oil and ...
Venik Hue's user avatar
  • 1,212
-3 votes
3 answers
130 views

Justification for foreign intervention in an anarchist Middle East? [closed]

What would be a rational reason for Western countries to unethically intervene in the Middle East following a total economic collapse? I'm writing a story where Middle Eastern countries descend into ...
Theresa Kay's user avatar
  • 2,177
7 votes
4 answers
1k views

What might happen to plastic after millions of years of geological activity?

I'm considering a worldbuilding exercise focusing on a "second generation" civilization, which arises after a previous civilization from millions of years ago either died off or left the ...
A.E. Stephenson's user avatar
14 votes
6 answers
6k views

My cows lactate oil instead of milk, how do I stop them from igniting?

Starting off, these domesticated herbivores, much like cows, exist on a terrestrial world 15-20% larger than Earth. With a higher gravity of 11.2 G, Earth-like atmosphere, and if it existed in our ...
NagaPrince's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
246 views

Can some countries regress and other advance when petrol will not be available anymore?

In my world, petrol will not be available anymore and there will have been a crisis ending its availability (the story is set after the crisis). The consequences will be these: Developing and poor ...
LAC's user avatar
  • 111
19 votes
5 answers
3k views

Are hydrocarbons viable foods for larger organisms?

There are some oil consuming bacteria which can break down hydrocarbons in the ocean. Since these tend to store a lot of energy, I was wondering whether it's possible for larger organisms to take ...
Radvylf Programs's user avatar
2 votes
5 answers
1k views

Could plastic have been made in the medieval period?

So, plastics are made by refining oils. I've been researching the process for a little bit, and while I haven't found a video that really helps me understand exactly what physical devices are needed ...
Globin347's user avatar
  • 5,797
13 votes
11 answers
4k views

Are steam locomotives more viable than diesel in a post-apocalypse?

So, context: This is some time after the apocalyptic event, and society has had a little time to re-build. The apocalyptic event in question physically destroyed a large number of cities, and killed ...
Globin347's user avatar
  • 5,797
5 votes
4 answers
500 views

What environmental conditions would result in Crude oil being far easier to access than coal?

So, A bit of a long winded explanation: I am designing a world that is meant to be both nostalgic and alien; A world that is familiar enough at first glance, but has many differences to ours. One ...
Globin347's user avatar
  • 5,797