Crude oil is a type of petroleum product made up of hydrocarbons that can be further refined into other petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Crude oil is typically found underground, trapped in reservoirs or beneath the ocean floor. It is a natural resource that is in constant, worldwide demand to meet the needs of industrial, commercial, and residential markets.
Crude oil is typically extracted using drilling. Once the oil is found, it is then collected or pumped to the surface. The crude oil is then transported to a refinery where it is further processed, separated into its various components, and prepared for distribution. Of the different oil products created from the refining process, gasoline is one of the most important, as it serves as the main source of motor fuel for much of the world.
The refining process for crude oil involves thermal separation, hydrotreating, catalytic conversion, and distillation. Thermal separation involves applying heat to the crude oil to create a more manageable substance by separating the heavy and light oils. Hydrotreating, which removes impurities and changes the chemical structure of the oil, is then used to further refine the oil before it is separated into distinct components using catalytic conversion. Finally, distillation separates the crude oil products into different boiling ranges, creating petrol and many other petroleum derivatives.
The structure of crude oil is complex, but it typically contains a mix of hydrocarbons. The most common hydrocarbons found in crude oil are paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics and Sulfur compounds. Paraffins are the most abundant hydrocarbons found in crude oil and are used to create a range of products including fuel oils, kerosene, and petrol. Naphthenes, which are a type of cyclic hydrocarbon, are also found in crude oil and are typically used to create lubricants and waxes. Aromatics are the most volatile compounds derived from crude oil, and have a sweet, gasoline-like smell. They are mostly used to create benzene, styrene, and toluene. Finally, sulfur compounds are also found in crude oil, although they need to be removed to meet industry standards.
The price of crude oil is based on its grade, or specific characteristics. There are three main types of crude oil: West Texas Intermediate (WTI), Brent Crude, and Dubai Crude. WTI and Brent Crude are considered to be the two most important, and are used to set the global standard for crude oil prices, while Dubai Crude is more localized and commonly used in the Middle East. Crude oil prices are heavily influenced by factors such as supply and demand, current economic conditions, and political and environmental unrest.
Crude oil is essential for global energy needs, and is a driving force of the world economy. It is used to create more than 6,000 products, and its derivatives facilitate travel, fuel industry, and provide energy for homes and businesses. Despite the environmental impacts of crude oil, it is likely to remain a cornerstone of the global energy system for many years to come.
