How is crude oil brought to the surface

In some places, especially some new wells that have just been drilled,

the oil is under pressure, and it brings itself to the surface as soon as

you drill a 'pipe' for it to rise through.

In most oil wells, there's a pump bobbing up and down day and night,

pumping the oil up out of the well.

When the well is so old that even a pump isn't very effective, water is

often forced down the well under pressure, and the water forces the

oil back up through the pipe.