Oljekälla

Oljekälla, meaning "oil spring" or "oil seep" in Swedish, refers to a natural surface discharge of petroleum or bitumen. These geological formations occur where underground petroleum deposits are close enough to the surface for oil to migrate upwards and escape through cracks or porous rock. Oljekällor are typically found in areas with active or recent petroleum systems.

The appearance of an oljekälla can vary greatly. Some are small, slow-dripping seeps, while others can be larger pools of viscous bitumen or even active flows of lighter crude oil. The surrounding area may be stained by the oil, and a characteristic petroleum odor is often present. Historically, oljekällor were sometimes used by local populations as a source of bitumen for waterproofing or as a rudimentary fuel.

Geologically, oljekällor are important indicators of the presence of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs. Their study can provide valuable insights into the migration pathways of oil and gas, the composition of petroleum deposits, and the geological history of a region. While most oljekällor are natural phenomena, they can also be associated with human activities such as drilling or mining, where they might indicate leaks or abandoned wells. Modern exploration for oil and gas often involves identifying and analyzing such seeps as part of the exploration process.