Crude oil is formed over millions of years under very specific geological conditions, yet has been discovered in huge underground reserves throughout the world. Billions of barrels of the thick black liquid have been extracted to make petrol, asphalt, plastic, pharmaceutical products and more, making it an exceptionally versatile and valuable commodity that
has influenced world politics and has brought about climate change, wars and recessions. Yet this finite natural resource is expected to run out within 50 years. Drawn from the archives of the Royal Geographical Society, these images tell the story of early oil production from Indonesia to Iran and Japan to Georgia



December 2007