Watch Crude

Crude is a six-part documentary series produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2007 that delves into the heart of the oil and gas industry. This show is an eye-opener that explores the complicated nature of the oil and gas business, from corporate head offices to offshore oil rigs and beyond.

Throughout the series, we meet a range of characters - from oil executives to scientists, from environmental activists to everyday people - who are affected by the politics, economics, and technology of the oil industry. Viewers are exposed to the wide-ranging impact of oil on the global economy, local communities, and the environment.

Each episode of Crude covers a different aspect of the oil and gas industry, examining a range of issues from energy security to climate change, and from ethical concerns to the technical challenges of offshore drilling. The first episode, for example, takes us to the headquarters of Royal Dutch Shell in London, where we meet executives who explain how the company operates. Meanwhile, the second episode takes us to the oil sands of Canada, where we learn about the environmental impact of mining for oil.

One particularly intriguing episode of Crude takes us to the Gulf of Mexico, where we meet oil rig workers and learn about the risks and rewards of offshore drilling. This episode is particularly poignant given the Deepwater Horizon disaster that occurred just a few years after the series was made.

In addition to presenting the viewpoints of stakeholders within the oil and gas industry, Crude also provides a voice to environmentalists and critics of the industry. We hear from experts who argue that the oil industry is inherently unsustainable - both environmentally and economically - and who believe that renewable energy sources are the only solution to the world's energy needs. Conversely, various voices also extol the virtues of oil and gas, arguing that they are essential to economic growth and development.

One of the strengths of Crude is its ability to present complex information in an accessible way. The show employs a range of clever and imaginative techniques to help viewers engage with the material, such as animations and infographics that help show the mechanics of oil extraction, and various intriguing minute details that help to create an immersive world.

Overall, Crude is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary series that sheds light on a crucial questions: what are the implications of our dependence on oil and gas? Despite the show being over a decade old, its messages remain relevant and poignant today, providing valuable insights into the nature of the oil and gas industry and its far-reaching impact on our world.