What are we referring to when we talk about oil? Weight of Crude: Light oil vs. Crude oil types list There are over one hundred different crude oils traded on the market today. This is oil produced in the United States. It is typically on the lighter end of the spectrum, at an API gravity of WTI sulfur content is 0. This oil is also light and sweet, with an API gravity of Brent sulfur content is 0. The oil from these regions is typically on the heavier and sour end of the spectrum.
Prefer to listen online? Check out our podcast! Kyle Andrews. Sign Up. Heavy crude has density approaching, or even exceeding, that of water. With simple distillation, heavier crude oil produces more lower-valued products, compared to the simple distillation of light crude. Heavy crude oil requires extra refining to produce more valuable and in-demand products.
Crude oil's value comes from its ability to be refined and turned into products ranging from asphalt and gasoline to lighter fluid and natural gas—along with a variety of essential elements such as sulfur and nitrogen.
Petroleum products are also key components in the manufacturing of medicines, chemicals, and plastics. These products are all produced through processing or refining, and the less processing necessary, the more valuable the crude becomes. When one type of crude oil is cheaper than another crude oil, that's often because it will take more work to create a desirable product out of the cheaper crude.
Simple distillation—or first-level refinement—of different crude oils produces different results. For example, the U. In contrast, the simple distillation of Saudi Arabia's Arabian Light, the historical benchmark crude, yields almost half "residuum.
The lighter the oil, the more of the desirable products it produces through distillation at a range of temperatures. The lowest distillation temperatures produce products such as liquid petroleum gases LPG , naphtha, and so-called "straight run" gasoline. In the middle range of distillation temperatures, the refinery produces jet fuel, home heating oil, and diesel fuel.
At the highest distillation temperatures—over 1, degrees Fahrenheit—the heaviest products are produced, including residuum or residual fuel oil, which can be used for lubricants. To maximize the output of more desirable products, refineries commonly reprocess the heaviest products into lighter products. Toxicity refers to how harmful an oil might be to humans, other living organisms, and the environment.
Generally speaking, the lighter the oil, the easier it will spread around and permeate through surfaces, making it potentially more toxic for the environment. Because of the constant potential of spills, the Environmental Protection Agency EPA has classified crude oil in four categories that reflect how the oil would behave in spills and its aftermath.
Because they are light and highly liquid, these clear and volatile oils can spread quickly on impervious surfaces and in water. Their odor is strong, and they evaporate quickly, emitting volatiles.
Usually flammable, these oils also penetrate porous surfaces, such as dirt and sand, and may remain in areas into which they seep. Humans, fish, and other forms of plant and animal life face the danger of toxicity from Class A oils. Use precise geolocation data.
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Sour crude is a type of crude oil known for its relatively high sulfur content. The presence of sulfur makes oil more difficult and costly to refine, causing sour crude to be viewed as a less desirable form of crude oil. By contrast, sweet crude oil is known for its low sulfur content and commands a higher price on international commodity markets.
Crude oil is defined as "sour" if its sulfur content exceeds 0. This distinction between sour and sweet crude is important because it affects the cost of refining the oil.
The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. Related Terms Benchmark Crude Oil Benchmark crude oil is petroleum that serves as a pricing reference, establishing standards for comparison for varieties of crude oil.
What Does Sour Crude Mean? Sour crude is a type of crude oil known for its relatively high sulfur content. It is viewed as a less desirable form of crude oil.
North Sea Brent Crude North Sea Brent Crude is a light-sweet blend of crude oil whose price serves as a benchmark to the majority of worldwide oil markets.
Brent Blend Definition Brent blend is a type of sweet crude oil that is used as a benchmark for the prices of other crude oils. Crude Oil Definition Crude oil is a naturally occurring, unrefined petroleum product composed of hydrocarbon deposits and other organic materials. Partner Links. Related Articles. Oil What Determines Gas Prices? Investopedia is part of the Dotdash publishing family.
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