Problem

"No, that's incorrect," Li Ming said, his voice firm as he sketched out another diagram. This time, the diagram showed only water, with no sign of oil or gas. "This is a water reservoir."

Li Xuan pondered for a moment before asking, "So, if it's a water well, there should only be water in it, as the rest would be contaminants. In other words, the presence of oil would have contaminated the water from the beginning. It's impossible for oil to suddenly appear out of nowhere."

Li Ming nodded in agreement. "I'm not entirely sure yet, but I believe this rumor might be related to what I explained to you yesterday about tectonic plate movement."

Li Xuan briefly looked down and responded, "In that case, I'll discuss the issue with my father and try to gather more information. For now, let's focus on our tasks at hand."

The workers on the field seemed somewhat skeptical, but they couldn't deny the convincing nature of Li Ming's argument. While they didn't fully grasp the concept of tectonic plate movement, they could sense that Li Xuan shared the same suspicion.

Respecting their position as workers of the Li Clan, they refrained from delving deeper into the matter and continued with their assigned tasks.

After a few hours of coordinating work assignments, Li Ming finally had a moment to rest. Seizing the opportunity, he stepped away to consult Eyses.

"Eyses, what are your thoughts on oil suddenly entering the water supply? Can an oil reservoir intrude upon a water reservoir?"

Eyses responded promptly, "Yes, it is possible. Earthquakes can cause significant geological shifts, leading to the fracturing and displacement of rock layers. This intense seismic activity can create fissures, fractures, or faults in the Earth's crust, altering the natural pathways for oil and water."

Li Ming was taken aback by this revelation, realizing that his initial surprise was unfounded. Considering the concept of tectonic movement, the possibility seemed plausible. He understood that his limited knowledge didn't negate the occurrence of such phenomena.

"I see. So, it's likely due to an earthquake," Li Ming sighed, not willing to accept this answer at face value. "But is an earthquake the only possible cause for this intrusion?"

Eyses explained further, "Human activities related to oil and gas extraction, such as drilling, can potentially cause an oil reservoir to intrude upon a nearby water reservoir. Well interference can also occur if proper isolation measures are not in place."

Li Ming frowned, the weight of responsibility settling upon him. He hadn't anticipated that his actions could cause trouble for so many people. On one hand, he desired a swift return home, but on the other hand, he couldn't ignore the consequences of his ambitions. It felt as if he would become a capitalist devil, oblivious to the harm he caused.

Contemplating the situation, Li Ming inquired, "Have there been any documented cases of oil-related activities affecting water supplies?"

Eyses provided examples, citing Lambton County in Canada as an instance where oil extraction brought economic benefits but resulted in groundwater contamination. The oil or its byproducts had seeped into the soil, permeating through the layers and reaching the groundwater reservoirs. Once contaminated, restoring the quality of the groundwater became a challenging task.

Li Ming was deeply shaken by this revelation, swallowing hard before asking, "Is there a way to prevent such incidents? As much as I want to achieve my goals, I refuse to become a heartless capitalist who disregards the well-being of others."

Eyses outlined potential solutions, including careful site selection, well design and construction, spill prevention, management, and monitoring. Considering that Li Ming hadn't undertaken extensive oil-related work, Eyses emphasized that site selection was the best preventive measure. Oil drilling operations should be located at a safe distance from water supply wells, aquifers, and environmentally sensitive areas like lakes and rivers.

Li Ming proposed using the map as a reference to determine safe locations, ensuring the protection of groundwater reservoirs. Eyses processed the request, taking a few minutes to consider various factors. After approximately thirty seconds, the map was updated, with half of the marked areas removed. The locations where they had been working so far seemed to be outside the dangerous zone.

Relieved that he hadn't unwittingly harmed innocent people, Li Ming let out a long sigh. "I see... Over there, near the river and the city, I can't expand into that area. However, this area, filled with small hills and lacking any water sources, seems to be safe. I consider myself fortunate in this regard."

Despite this relief, the water supply problem remained unresolved. Li Ming hurriedly asked, "In that case, what should we do now that the water supply is affected?"

Eyses advised assessing the extent of the contamination. Since there were currently no active oil wells, finding alternative water sources was recommended.

Li Ming bowed his head, deep in thought. On one hand, he understood that he wasn't obligated to save the city, as the problem arose from geological movements. However, given the limited knowledge about oil in this world, it wouldn't be surprising if others accused him and exploited the situation for their own purposes.

Taking a deep breath, Li Ming steeled his resolve. He had no choice but to fully explain the problem, fully aware that others could use it as an excuse against him. Transparency and working towards a solution that minimized the impact on the city and its inhabitants were paramount.