Лекция: My University 5 страница
21. Прочтите и переведите текст:
THE SEARCH FOR OIL
When men first began to seek petroleum, the easiest way to find it was to look for evidence of oil seeps on the earth’s surface. Generally, oil seeps are either up-dips or seepage along a fracture. Observation of seeps has led to the discovery of many of the world’s great oil fields in the U. S., the Middle East, Venezuela, and at other points on the globe.
Indeed, the search for oil begins with geologists and geophysicists using their knowledge of the earth to locate geographic areas that are likely to contain reservoir rock. Once such a “likely area” is found, then more specific tests and investigations are made and the information gained from these is used to construct “maps” of the earth’s substructure. By 1920 it was found that looking for domes, seeps and anticlines on the surface maps was not sufficient. Thus geophysical methods were devised that gave the searchers an idea of what lay beneath the surface.
The first method developed was the torsion balance, followed closely by the seismograph. With the seismograph, subsurface structures can be deduced by measuring the transit times of sound waves generated by an explosion. Other tools developed for use by geophysicists are gravity meters and magnetometers. Another space age technique is remote sensing.
But of course, the basic tool in any search for oil is a knowledge of the earth itself – how it was formed, its composition and its present configuration. It is not enough though, to merely become aware of the existence of an oil accumulation at a given location. Before investing what may be millions of dollars, the operator needs to know if the well will be commercially feasible, or simply stated, will he recover his investment and perhaps make a profit? Not every well drilled today is assured of a rich strike. There are still many dusters, but modern techniques lessen the risk. However, a great many steps must be taken between exploration and actual drilling.
22. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:
1. What was the easiest way to find oil? 2. What has observation of seeps led to? 3. What does the search for oil begin with? 4. How are maps of the earth’s substructure constructed? 5. When and why were geophysical methods of prospecting devised? 6. Can you name the main geophysical methods and tools? 7. What is the basic tool in any search for oil? 8. What is it necessary to know before investing millions of dollars into a well? 9. Why must one take a great many steps between exploration and actual drilling?
23. Перескажите текст по вопросам 22-го упражнения.
24. Текст для аудирования:
1. Прослушайте текст:
Oil in Siberia
The oil and gas deposits in Siberia are unique in their size. Their importance increases greatly if we consider the fact that the Siberia discoveries took place at a time when many oil and gas reservoirs in the old and new worlds had become greatly depleted. The demand for oil and gas is growing quickly as a whole.
At a time of such high demand for oil Siberia is regarded as a supplier of this raw material and fuel. Siberian oil serves as raw material for large petrochemical combines in Novosibirsk, Tobolsk, Omsk.
Discovery of oil in Siberia simplifies the development of a number of districts including the Trans-Urals, Extreme North and Far East. Prospects have opened up for the rapid development of petrochemistry. One Siberian oilworker said: “when we struck the first well at the now famous Samotlor field, we saw not a black fountain but a blossoming land; the cold land of Siberia warmed by our oil and labour”.
2. Запомните следующие синонимы, дайте их перевод:
oil (petroleum); deposit (field); reservoir (formation, bed); demand (need); development (progress); convey (transport); area (district, region); well (hole, bore-hole); fountain (gusher); land (country).
3. Запомните следующие глаголы:
increase (увеличивать), deplete (истощать), serve (служить),
stimulate (стимулировать, способствовать).
4. Найдите в тексте эквиваленты следующих русских слов и словосочетаний:
уникальный, спрос, топливо, быстрый, нефтехимические предприятия, нефтяник, комбинаты.
5. Ответьте на вопросы:
1. What can you say about the oil and gas deposits in Siberia?
2. At what time did the Siberian discoveries take place?
3. Is the demand for oil and gas growing quickly?
25. Прослушайте и прочитайте диалог. Затем воспроизведите и продолжите его.
Student: We are interested in Russian oil and gas potential and we are going to ask you
some questions.
Teacher: All right. You may put questions to me and I’ll try to answer them.
Student: Well, what can you say about oil and gas deposits in Russia?
Teacher: As far as I know our country has unique oil and gas deposits. New discoveries
come thick and fast.
Student: Where are the largest of them located?
Teacher: You see, the largest have been those of the West Siberian gas fields, mainly in the Tyumen region, in the Komi Autonomous Republic, and near Orenburg.
26. Английский юмор:
Two students’ father were talking about their children. One of them said: “When my son went to college, it took him three years to get his BS.”
The second father smiled: “ That’s nothing. When my daughter went to college, it took her two years to get a Ph. D.”
“How could she get a Ph. D. in only two years?”
Father said complacently “ She married him”.
1) BS – Bachelor of Science – бакалавр наук
2) Ph. D. – Doctor of Philosophy – доктор философии
3) complacently – самодовольно
* * *
The professor was delivering the final lecture of the term. He stressed the fact that each student should devote all the time that he has to preparing for the final examinations.
“The examination papers are now in the hands of the printer. Are there any questions?”
There was a silence. Suddenly a voice from the back seat asked: “Who’s the printer?”