That was totally unexpected and really wonderful. I ADORE the focus on water, especially these lines:

"Truly, this is the water's world, you thought....And the Earth crumbles beneath its touch: a slow, ages-long swoon."

!! This actually made me think of the movie "Signs". I never understood why aliens who were allergic to water would want a world covered in it ;) Anyways, the oil/water tension was a fantastic metaphor brought to life.