This book tells about oil, a valuable natural resource, including where it is found and used, how it is drilled and refined, and its importance in the global economy.

Includes index.

What is a global commodity? -- Oil -- Where is oil found and where is it used? -- A history of oil -- Drilling for oil -- Refining oil -- How oil is traded -- Supply and demand -- Industry codes of practice -- Oil as a sustainable commodity -- International politics and oil -- Environmental issues and oil -- Social issues and oil -- The future.