CRUDE OIL AND

PETROCHEMICALS
BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, the students should be able
to;
1.Describe crude oil and petrochemicals
2.Explain oil exploration
3.List five fractions of crude oil, describe and state their
uses
4.Outline any three importance of crude oil and
petrochemicals
Crude oil and petrochemicals
Crude oil is a dark brown or greenish liquid substance
found under the ground or sea.
It is formed deep in the ground from living things
(plants and animals) that died many years ago. It is
made up of hydrocarbons and it is a flammable liquid.
Petrochemicals are chemical compounds which are
derived from the refining of petroleum.
Crude oil and petrochemicals
For example: methane is a refinery product which is used to
produce carbon black and gas. Some examples of
petrochemicals are;
1.Ethane
2.Propane
3.Plastics such as poly ethane, rubber
4.Detergent
5.Chemicals used for manufacturing paint, medicine,
insecticides, selective weed killers etc
Oil exploration
The search for oil is called exploration. Oil companies
employ special scientists called geophysicists who are
experts in geology and physics. Oil is found in many
countries of the world such as ; Europe, America,
Africa, middle East Asia. Nigeria is one of the major
producers of oil in the world. Oil is found in many parts
of Nigeria, particularly the Niger-Delta areas.
Fractions of crude oil
• The method of the separation of crude oil
constituents is called fractional distillation. Different
fractions are obtained and they are seen in the table
below.
Fractions of crude oil
S/N FRACTIONS DESCRIBTION USES
1 Petroleum gas or It is obtained at the uppermost part, with Sold as cooking gas.Source of other
refinery gas least boiling point of < 20°C chemicals.

2 Petrol or Gasoline The second product with relative high Main source of fuel for internal.
temperature range (20-60°C) combustion engine.

3 Naphtha Has more number of carbon atoms and is Used as chemical.Refined to give more
usually further refined to give petrol (80- gasoline.
180°C)
4 Kerosene/paraffin It has higher viscosity than both gasoline Used as heating and oil.Used as fuel for
oil and naphtha (180-260°C) air craft.Used to produce gasoline.

5 Diesel oil/Gas Very viscous product (260-340°C) Used as heating oil.Used in high speed
oil/Light gas diesel engines.
6 Heavy gas oil More viscous than light gas and is usually Used as fuel for slow speed engines e.g.
coloured (340-500°C) diesel engine.Used to produce gasoline.

7 Lubricating This is referred to as a residue, it thick Used as a lubricant.In the production of

oil/Fuel and a non-volatile product candles and waxes.For road
oil/Bitumen surfacing.Used in roofing.
Importance of crude oil and
petrochemicals
1.It is a source of revenue.
2.It is a source of energy.
3.It is a source of industrial raw materials.
Vocabulary review
• Revenue
• Exploration
• Hydrocarbons
• Crude
• Fractional
• Distillation
Thank you
Questions?