Crude Oil

What is Crude Oil?

Crude Oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons that occurs naturally, formed from the remains of ancient marine plants and animals.

Crude Oil is formed over millions of years through the process of fossilisation.
Over time, layers of sediment bury the remains of plants and animals, exerting high pressure and heat.
These conditions cause the organic matter to transform into crude oil and natural gas.

Crude oil is composed mainly of hydrocarbons. These are compounds that only contain hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Hydrocarbon molecules found in crude oil can be straight chains, branched chains, and even rings.
Different hydrocarbons have different boiling points, allowing them to be separated through a process called fractional distillation.

Fractional distillation involves heating crude oil and allowing it to vaporise. The vapour then rises in a distillation column and is condensed at various heights according to boiling points.
The parts of the crude oil with lower boiling points will rise to the top of the column and be collected first.
This process separates crude oil into different fractions, each with their own uses.

The fractions obtained from crude oil can be used for many different purposes.
The fraction with the lowest boiling point, gas is used in domestic heating and cooking.
The next fraction, petrol (gasoline) is used as a fuel in cars.
Kerosene is a fraction that is used as fuel in jet engines.
Diesel oil is used as a fuel in many types of vehicles including trucks, trains, and boats.
The fractions with higher boiling points such as fuel oil and bitumen are used to heat buildings and to pave roads, respectively.

Burning fossil fuels like crude oil releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Oil spills, a potential risk in the extraction and transportation of crude oil, can have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems.