Overview

Most contamination from crude oil extraction in industrialized countries occurs through pipeline leaks and soil contamination from crude oil sludge. Crude oil contains both highly volatile substances and low-volatility substances such as heavy oils, with most volatilizing and soil contamination primarily caused by heavy oils with low volatility.

In Kuwait in the Middle East, 798 oil wells were destroyed due to past Iraqi invasion, resulting in the formation of Oil Lakes (Pits) as emergency collection sites. Kuwait secured approximately $3.65 billion in funding through claims to the UNCC (UN Compensation Committee) and is progressively pursuing reconstruction/restoration projects.

Beyond special cases like Kuwait, crude oil-producing countries such as Russia and Egypt are experiencing various environmental pollution from oil contamination, and the need for remediation is increasing.