Oil and Gas

How petroleum is formed

It is made up of naturally occurring hydrocarbons with varying molecular weights, as well as other organic molecules. Both naturally occurring unprocessed crude oil and petroleum products made up of refined crude oil are referred to as petroleum. Petroleum is a fossil fuel that forms when enormous amounts of dead animals, usually zooplankton and algae, are buried beneath sediment. Petroleum refers to any liquid, gaseous, and solid hydrocarbons, including crude oil.

Composition by weight

Carbon 83 to 85%

Hydrogen 10 to 14%

Nitrogen 0.1 to 2%

Oxygen 0.05 to 1.5%

Sulfur 0.05 to 6.0%

Metals < 0.1%