Oil Extraction Is the process of removing crude oil from underground reservoirs so it can be refined and used. It involves several steps, technologies, and equipment, typically grouped into two main phases: primary extraction and secondary/tertiary recovery. 1. Exploration and Drilling Before oil can be extracted, companies must find it: Seismic surveys (as discussed earlier) help locate potential reservoirs. Once identified, a well is drilled using rigs to reach the oil-bearing rock. If oil is