Light, sweet crude, which is low in sulfur and produces high yields of gasoline, is generally more desirable and commands higher prices than heavy, sour crude. Different hydrocarbon chains boil off at different temperatures, allowing them to be collected as separate streams.
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Composition and Properties Contrary to its appearance as a black, viscous liquid, crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons—molecules composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Formation and Geological Origins The story of crude oil begins on the floor of ancient oceans, where microscopic marine life flourished.
When these organisms died, their remains settled on the seabed, mixing with layers of silt and sand. Once a reservoir is identified, companies drill a well to reach the trapped oil.
Crude Oil Reserves and Top Producing Countries Worldwide
The quality and characteristics of crude oil are classified by its density (measured in API gravity) and its sulfur content. The immense pressure and temperature in these deep geological formations transformed the organic matter into a waxy substance called kerogen, and eventually into liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons.
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