Oil is vital to the world

Wallace Kleck shared his knowledge of geology with the Kiwanis Club when he spoke to them about oil. He called it "black gold" because of its importance to the world. Using a power point presentation he explained how oil was created in oceans when plants and animals died, mixed with sand, and "cooked" for thousands of years.

Man has been using oil for four thousand years, scooping it up where it seeped up from the ground. About 150 years ago, they learned to drill for the oil erecting wooden derricks. Later the oil pump was developed.

The early oil fields have been depleted, but new ways of extracting oil have been developed. Today wells are dug deeper, ocean drilling is productive, and fracking is a new system being used. Society is dependent on oil and its lack or abundance affects price and politics.

Kiwanis members asked questions about the wisdom of fracking and the affect the use of oil has on global warming. Kleck said these are issues that should be addressed and evaluated in a scientific method.

Kiwanis strives to improve the lives of children and build strong communities. The club meets each Wednesday at noon at Big Papa's. Anyone interested is invited to attend and consider joining the group.

Call 822-5379 for more information.