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Often the oil contains natural gas. It is dissolved in the oil because of the high
pressure deep underground. When the drill penetrates the oil-bearing layer this
pressure is released. It provides a tremendous thrust and may be sufficient to bring
all the oil to the surface. If the gas pressure is not sufficient a pumping station must
be built to bring up the oil. This increases the cost of the drilling operation. In its
natural 'crude' state oil consists of a mixture of various substances called
hydrocarbons. These substances must be separated according to their densities,
and purified. This process is called refining.
2. Oil ----.