Spanish Abstract: El documento analiza, a grandes rasgos, la importancia socioeconomica y politica del petroleo, como recurso de primer orden dentro de la matriz energetica mundial. Igualmente, se evalua el impacto ecologico de la actividad petrolera y sus perspectivas. Se trata de un articulo de reflexion, sustentado en una amplia revision bibliografica. Se concluye que, si bien el petroleo continua siendo la principal fuente de energia y de infinidad de productos derivados del mismo, los efectos de su uso en los diferentes entornos ecologicos son altamente negativos. Igualmente, la concentracion de la actividad petrolera mundial en un pequeno grupo de paises permite que sea utilizado como medio de presion a otras naciones, o para apoyar a regimenes autoritarios. English Abstract: In this article, the socioeconomic and political importance of oil is analyzed, as a first-order resource within the global energy matrix. Likewise, the ecological impact of the oil activity and its prospects is evaluated. It is an article of reflection, based on an extensive bibliographic review. It is concluded that, although oil continues to be the main source of energy and there are many products derived from it, the effects of its use in different ecological environments are highly negative. Likewise, the concentration of world oil activity in a small group of countries allows it to be used as a means of pressure to other nations, or to support authoritarian regimes.