Crude oil is mostly made of carbon. The second most dominate compound in crude oil is hydrogen. It makes up approximately 15 percent of the formula. Crude oil also contains
- Helium
- Nitrogen
- Sulfur
- Oxygen
The Key Classifications
There are different classifications for certain types of oil. In the petroleum industry, crude oil is classified after it’s extracted. The classification always reflects the oil’s geographical source.
Sweet Oil and Sour Oil
Crude oil with a small dose of sulfur is classified as sweet. If a batch of oil contains a lot of sulfur, it’s labeled as sour. Many companies prefer the sour oil because excessive sulfur can create challenges during the manufacturing process.
Sweet crude oil is found in Texas. Sour oil is available in Canada and along the Gulf Coast.
Light Oil and Heavy Oil
The American Petroleum Institute has a measurement system for crude oil. It helps big
manufacturers classify a gallon of oil by its gravity. Basically, the measurement reflects the weight of the oil according to the density of water. If the gravity is more than 10, the oil is technically lighter than H20, and it could float. When the gravity is lower than 10, the oil weighs more than water, so it will sink.
After oil is extracted, completion chemicals are typically added to protect the batch. If you need completion chemicals, turn to Flatiron Chemicals. This company provides a great suite of services that benefit the oilfield industry.
