Ferrari Energy Answers, What are Crude Oil and Petroleum Products?

Crude oil, sometimes called petroleum, is a naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth’s surface. Petroleum products are fuels and other products made from crude oil. In this article, Ferrari Energy explores some commonly used petroleum products.

What is crude oil?

Crude oil and petroleum are what we call fossil fuels. They are a mixture of different hydrocarbons formed from the remains of animals and plants millions of years ago – or, in short, they come from fossils. Over the eons, these animal and plant remains were covered by sand, silt, and rock. Then, heat and pressure turned the remains into what we now call crude oil or petroleum.

Products made from crude oil

Crude oil is extracted from the ground by drilling a well. In what is called a “gusher well,” oil is under pressure and rises to the surface on its own. Under other conditions, steam, water, or air can be pumped into the well to create the force needed to cause the oil to come to the surface.

After being extracted, the crude oil is transported to a refinery and separated into its various parts. These parts are then used to create petroleum products.

When most people think of petroleum products, they think of gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, and jet fuel – about 80 percent of a barrel of crude oil is used for these fuels. In addition to these well-known petroleum products, there are many other beneficial uses for fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels are deeply woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. A comprehensive list of all the products that are made from or contain petroleum would fill volumes. Let’s take a look at some of the products we use every day.

Benzene, a hydrocarbon typically derived from petroleum, is used in common medication to treat pain, inflammation, and fevers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of petroleum wax as long as it meets ultraviolet absorbance limits. You may find petroleum wax in chewing gum and paraffin wax to coat cheese, raw fruits, and vegetables. Lipstick is often made with petroleum wax too.

You’re probably wearing clothing that contains polyester right now. About 60 percent of all clothing is made using petroleum products.

Solar panels and wind turbines are often thought of as being the antithesis of fossil fuels, but they aren’t. Petrochemical-derived materials are critical to the manufacturing of wind and solar energy components. In addition, the growing demand for more wind turbines and solar panels increases the need for petrochemical-based products.

Most plastics, including water bottles and shampoo bottles, are produced from petrochemicals derived from the oil refining process. For example, toothpaste uses a common petroleum derivative that helps oil-based ingredients dissolve in water.

The original essential oils; these fuels enrich our lives, facilitate human advancement, and promote good health and hygiene. Every day brings improvements in the technologies used for the responsible extraction and refining processes needed to turn fossil fuels into everyday household items.

About Ferrari Energy

Ferrari Energy is a family-owned private oil and gas company focused on mineral and leasehold acquisitions. Ferrari Energy took its name from its founder, Adam Ferrari. Adam is a native of Chicago and was formally educated in chemical and biomolecular engineering. He completed his degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and finished at the top of his class, graduating magna cum laude. As a young professional, Adam worked in the operations and business sides of the energy industry. After gaining ten years of direct industry experience, he took his passion for the energy industry and launched Ferrari Energy.