Securing a steady supply of oil in Ark Survival Evolved is essential for progressing through the tech tree and maintaining a functional base. This fossil fuel powers some of the most advanced machinery, provides efficient lighting, and acts as a crucial component in various end-game recipes. While the resource is abundant in specific biomes, harvesting it requires specific tools and knowledge to avoid wasting time and resources.
Understanding Oil Nodes and Locations
Before you can extract the resource, you must locate it, which requires understanding the game's generation mechanics. Oil deposits are identifiable by the distinct black pools and sputtering geysers found primarily in the Rocky Mountains biome and the center of the map. These surface nodes are static and do not regenerate, making them valuable real estate for bases. Additionally, players should keep an eye out for Oil Veins, which appear as shimmering rocks on the mini-map, indicating the presence of the resource underground.
Gathering with Primitive Tools
Early in the game, players lack access to advanced machinery, forcing them to rely on manual labor. To harvest the resource manually, you must equip a Stone Pickaxe or better to break the surface deposits. Using a standard Stone Axe or a creature like an Ankylosaurus is inefficient and will likely result in zero drops. Be aware that harvesting from a surface node with a primitive tool yields a very small amount, making it a last-resort option when other methods are unavailable.
Utilizing the Best Harvesting Creatures
Once you have tamed creatures, relying on them becomes the most efficient method for collection. The Rock Drake is widely considered the best unit for this task due to its ability to cloak and mine nodes instantly without consuming durability. If a Rock Drake is unavailable, the Ankylosaurus is a common and durable alternative that excels at mining stone and ore, with oil being a byproduct. Using these creatures significantly speeds up the gathering process and reduces the strain on your inventory space.
Establishing an Oil Extractor Base
For consistent, passive income, setting up an Oil Extractor is the ultimate goal of any industrial player. This structure requires the Oil Resource Node to be completely enclosed within its foundation. Once built, the extractor automatically produces oil over time without consuming durability or requiring player input. The trade-off is the high material cost and the need to sacrifice a large portion of the resource node, which prevents other players or creatures from using it.
Effective Refining Processes
Raw oil harvested from the world is useless until it is refined into usable fuel. Players must construct a Refinery or an Industrial Forge to process the resource. The Refinery is the standard option, requiring element powder to operate efficiently and offering a fast conversion rate. Alternatively, the Industrial Forge can burn wood or thatch as fuel to refine oil, but it is slower and less cost-effective for large-scale production, serving as a backup when element is scarce.
Managing Oil Consumption
Understanding where oil is consumed helps players prioritize their harvesting efforts. The primary consumers are generators, which burn fuel to power the entire base, and the Tek Replicator, which uses it for high-tier crafting. Turrets like the Tek Rifle Turret also require oil to function. Efficient base design involves placing generators near extraction points and ensuring fuel lines are protected from enemy raids that could disrupt your supply chain.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Experienced players utilize specific strategies to maximize their oil efficiency and security. One common tactic is to build a ceiling directly over the resource node to prevent rival players from accessing it while still allowing your extractor to run. Furthermore, keeping a reserve of element dust is vital, as Refineries consume it rapidly; securing a supply of element through trade or hunting ensures your production line never stalls due to maintenance costs.
