Oil and Gas Chemicals
Content
Oil & Gas
Chemical
Glossary
Alkylation
Refining process for converting light, gaseous olefins
into high-octane gasoline components (reverse of
cracking).
Aromatics
Class of hydrocarbons that have at least one benzene
ring as part of their structure. Generally describes
benzene and benzene derivatives.
Associated Gas
Natural gas associated with oil accumulations, either
dissolved in oil or found as a cap of free gas above oil
in reservoir.
Benzene
An aromatic hydrocarbon present to a minor degree in
most crude oils. (Products manufactured from benzene
include styrene, phenol, nylon and synthetic detergents.)
Butane (C4H10)
Either of two saturated hydrocarbons, or alkanes, with
chemical formula. In both compounds carbon atoms are
joined in an open chain.
Carbon
Atomic number is 6; element is in group 14 (or IVa) of
periodic table. Carbon content of a hydrocarbon
determines, to a degree, hydrocarbon's burning
characteristics and qualities.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Colourless, odourless, and slightly acid-tasting gas,
sometimes-called carbonic acid gas, molecule of which
consists of one atom of carbon joined to two atoms of
oxygen. Carbon dioxide in atmosphere tends to prevent
escape of outgoing long-wave radiation from Earth to
outer space; as more heat is produced and less escapes,
temperature of Earth increases. Most important manmade greenhouse gas in UK accounting for 81% of
direct global warming potential from national
greenhouse emissions in 1990.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Chemical compound of carbon and oxygen.
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
Synthetic chemical that is odourless, non-toxic, nonflammable, and chemically inert. Released into
atmosphere, chlorine-containing chemicals rise and are
broken down by sunlight, whereupon chlorine reacts
with and destroys ozone molecules.
Coal
During Carboniferous period much of world was
covered with vegetation growing in swamps. This
vegetation died and became submerged under water. As
decomposition took place, vegetable matter lost oxygen
and hydrogen atoms, leaving a peat deposit with a high
percentage of carbon. As time passed, layers of sand
and mud settled from water over some of peat deposits.
Pressure of these overlying layers, as well as
movements of earth's crust and sometimes volcanic
heat, acted to compress and harden deposits, thus
producing coal.
Condensate
Liquid mixture of pentane and higher hydrocarbons.
Drilling Mud / Fluid
Mixture of base substance and additives used to
lubricate drill bit and to counter act natural pressure in
formation. Drilling mud provides circulation, flushing
rock cuttings from bottom of well bore to surface.
Drilling Mud Nomenclature
Oil Based Mud (OBM), Pseudo Oil Based Mud
(POBM), Water Based Mud (WBM).
Dry gas
Or Lean gas is natural gas composed mainly of
methane.
Esters
Compounds formed by combination of acids and
alcohols.
Ethanol
Chemical formed by fermentation or synthesis.
Ethene
Or Ethylene simplest member of class of aliphatic
organic compounds called alkenes, which contain at
least one carbon-carbon double bond. Ethylene is a
colourless, slightly sweet-smelling gas of formula
H2C=CH2. It is slightly soluble in water and is produced
in commercial amounts by cracking and fractional
distillation of petroleum and from natural gas.
Gasoline
Mixture of lighter liquid hydrocarbons used chiefly as a
fuel for internal-combustion engines. Produced by
fractional distillation of petroleum; by condensation or
adsorption from natural gas; by thermal or catalytic
decomposition of petroleum or its fractions; by
hydrogenation of producer gas or coal; or by
polymerisation of hydrocarbons of lower molecular
weight.
Greenhouse Gases
Gases that alter thermal properties of atmosphere (for
example, water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, CFCs, halons and ozone).
Halons
Halogenated carbon compounds used in fire
extinguishing equipment and contributing to
stratospheric ozone depletion. Being phased out under
Montreal Protocol.
Heavy oil
Long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Hexane
Petroleum liquid found in small amounts in
condensates.
Hydrocarbons
Family of organic compounds, composed entirely of
carbon and hydrogen (for example, coal, crude oil and
natural gas).
Hydrogen (H)
Reactive, colourless, odourless, and tasteless gaseous
element with atomic number of 1. Element is usually
classed in group 1 (or Ia) of periodic table. Lightest of
all gases, hydrogen combines with carbon to form a
variety of gaseous, liquid and solid hydrocarbons.
Hydrogenation
Reacting coal with hydrogen at high pressures, usually
in presence of a catalyst.
Light oil
Shorter chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Gas, mainly methane, liquefied under pressure and low
temperature.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Pressure or refrigeration liquefies lighter hydrocarbons,
such as propane, butane, pentane, and mixtures of these
gases.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Issued by manufacturer of chemical substances that sets
out hazards likely to be encountered by those who come
into contact with substance.
Mercaptans
Strong-smelling compounds of carbon, hydrogen and
sulphur found in oil and gas. Added to natural gas for
safety reasons.
Methane (CH4)
Also marsh gas, gas composed of carbon and hydrogen,
first member of paraffin or alkane series of
hydrocarbons. Methane contributed 12% (counting both
direct and indirect global warming effects) of UK
national greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. Oil and gas
production accounted for 2% of national emissions in
1990.
Natural Gas
Gas, occurring naturally, often found in association with
oil.
Natural Gas Liquid (NGL)
Liquid hydrocarbons found in association with natural
gas.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Nitrous Oxide contributed 5% of direct global warming
potential from UK national greenhouse gas emissions in
1990.
Oil
Mixture of liquid hydrocarbons of different molecular
weights.
Olefins
Basic chemicals made from oil or natural gas liquids
feed stocks; commonly used to manufacture plastics and
gasoline. Examples are ethylene and propylene.
Ozone
Allotropic form of oxygen having three atoms in each
molecule, formula O3. Ozone formed in atmosphere
from nitrogen oxides and organic gases emitted by
automobiles and industrial sources.
Pentane
One of lighter hydrocarbons, such as propane and
butane, and mixtures of these gases are liquefied and
employed as fuels.
Petrolatum
Odourless, tasteless, greasy substance, obtained as
residue from petroleum after lighter and more volatile
components have been boiled off. Purified residue is
obtained in form of a yellowish or decolourised
semisolid, known as petroleum jelly in form of a clear
to faintly yellow liquid, known as mineral oil.
Petroleum
Generic name for hydrocarbons, including crude oil,
NGLs, natural gas and their products.
Petroleum products
Gasoline, kerosene, heavy fuel oil, lubricating oils,
petroleum jelly, and paraffin consist principally of
mixtures of paraffin hydrocarbons, which range from
lighter liquid members to solid members.
Propane (C3H8)
Colourless, odourless gas of alkane series of
hydrocarbons. It occurs in crude oil, in natural gas, and
as a by-product of petroleum refining.
Sour gas
Natural gas containing significant quantities of
hydrogen sulphide.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Acts as a precursor in formation of sulphate aerosols
which, unlike greenhouse gases, have a net negative
radiative forcing effect and tend to cool Earth's surface.
Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
Gases made from coals and other hydrocarboncontaining substances.
Wet Gas
Natural gas having significant amounts of heavier
hydrocarbons in gasoline range.
Chemical
Glossary
Alkylation
Refining process for converting light, gaseous olefins
into high-octane gasoline components (reverse of
cracking).
Aromatics
Class of hydrocarbons that have at least one benzene
ring as part of their structure. Generally describes
benzene and benzene derivatives.
Associated Gas
Natural gas associated with oil accumulations, either
dissolved in oil or found as a cap of free gas above oil
in reservoir.
Benzene
An aromatic hydrocarbon present to a minor degree in
most crude oils. (Products manufactured from benzene
include styrene, phenol, nylon and synthetic detergents.)
Butane (C4H10)
Either of two saturated hydrocarbons, or alkanes, with
chemical formula. In both compounds carbon atoms are
joined in an open chain.
Carbon
Atomic number is 6; element is in group 14 (or IVa) of
periodic table. Carbon content of a hydrocarbon
determines, to a degree, hydrocarbon's burning
characteristics and qualities.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Colourless, odourless, and slightly acid-tasting gas,
sometimes-called carbonic acid gas, molecule of which
consists of one atom of carbon joined to two atoms of
oxygen. Carbon dioxide in atmosphere tends to prevent
escape of outgoing long-wave radiation from Earth to
outer space; as more heat is produced and less escapes,
temperature of Earth increases. Most important manmade greenhouse gas in UK accounting for 81% of
direct global warming potential from national
greenhouse emissions in 1990.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Chemical compound of carbon and oxygen.
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
Synthetic chemical that is odourless, non-toxic, nonflammable, and chemically inert. Released into
atmosphere, chlorine-containing chemicals rise and are
broken down by sunlight, whereupon chlorine reacts
with and destroys ozone molecules.
Coal
During Carboniferous period much of world was
covered with vegetation growing in swamps. This
vegetation died and became submerged under water. As
decomposition took place, vegetable matter lost oxygen
and hydrogen atoms, leaving a peat deposit with a high
percentage of carbon. As time passed, layers of sand
and mud settled from water over some of peat deposits.
Pressure of these overlying layers, as well as
movements of earth's crust and sometimes volcanic
heat, acted to compress and harden deposits, thus
producing coal.
Condensate
Liquid mixture of pentane and higher hydrocarbons.
Drilling Mud / Fluid
Mixture of base substance and additives used to
lubricate drill bit and to counter act natural pressure in
formation. Drilling mud provides circulation, flushing
rock cuttings from bottom of well bore to surface.
Drilling Mud Nomenclature
Oil Based Mud (OBM), Pseudo Oil Based Mud
(POBM), Water Based Mud (WBM).
Dry gas
Or Lean gas is natural gas composed mainly of
methane.
Esters
Compounds formed by combination of acids and
alcohols.
Ethanol
Chemical formed by fermentation or synthesis.
Ethene
Or Ethylene simplest member of class of aliphatic
organic compounds called alkenes, which contain at
least one carbon-carbon double bond. Ethylene is a
colourless, slightly sweet-smelling gas of formula
H2C=CH2. It is slightly soluble in water and is produced
in commercial amounts by cracking and fractional
distillation of petroleum and from natural gas.
Gasoline
Mixture of lighter liquid hydrocarbons used chiefly as a
fuel for internal-combustion engines. Produced by
fractional distillation of petroleum; by condensation or
adsorption from natural gas; by thermal or catalytic
decomposition of petroleum or its fractions; by
hydrogenation of producer gas or coal; or by
polymerisation of hydrocarbons of lower molecular
weight.
Greenhouse Gases
Gases that alter thermal properties of atmosphere (for
example, water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, CFCs, halons and ozone).
Halons
Halogenated carbon compounds used in fire
extinguishing equipment and contributing to
stratospheric ozone depletion. Being phased out under
Montreal Protocol.
Heavy oil
Long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Hexane
Petroleum liquid found in small amounts in
condensates.
Hydrocarbons
Family of organic compounds, composed entirely of
carbon and hydrogen (for example, coal, crude oil and
natural gas).
Hydrogen (H)
Reactive, colourless, odourless, and tasteless gaseous
element with atomic number of 1. Element is usually
classed in group 1 (or Ia) of periodic table. Lightest of
all gases, hydrogen combines with carbon to form a
variety of gaseous, liquid and solid hydrocarbons.
Hydrogenation
Reacting coal with hydrogen at high pressures, usually
in presence of a catalyst.
Light oil
Shorter chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Gas, mainly methane, liquefied under pressure and low
temperature.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Pressure or refrigeration liquefies lighter hydrocarbons,
such as propane, butane, pentane, and mixtures of these
gases.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Issued by manufacturer of chemical substances that sets
out hazards likely to be encountered by those who come
into contact with substance.
Mercaptans
Strong-smelling compounds of carbon, hydrogen and
sulphur found in oil and gas. Added to natural gas for
safety reasons.
Methane (CH4)
Also marsh gas, gas composed of carbon and hydrogen,
first member of paraffin or alkane series of
hydrocarbons. Methane contributed 12% (counting both
direct and indirect global warming effects) of UK
national greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. Oil and gas
production accounted for 2% of national emissions in
1990.
Natural Gas
Gas, occurring naturally, often found in association with
oil.
Natural Gas Liquid (NGL)
Liquid hydrocarbons found in association with natural
gas.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Nitrous Oxide contributed 5% of direct global warming
potential from UK national greenhouse gas emissions in
1990.
Oil
Mixture of liquid hydrocarbons of different molecular
weights.
Olefins
Basic chemicals made from oil or natural gas liquids
feed stocks; commonly used to manufacture plastics and
gasoline. Examples are ethylene and propylene.
Ozone
Allotropic form of oxygen having three atoms in each
molecule, formula O3. Ozone formed in atmosphere
from nitrogen oxides and organic gases emitted by
automobiles and industrial sources.
Pentane
One of lighter hydrocarbons, such as propane and
butane, and mixtures of these gases are liquefied and
employed as fuels.
Petrolatum
Odourless, tasteless, greasy substance, obtained as
residue from petroleum after lighter and more volatile
components have been boiled off. Purified residue is
obtained in form of a yellowish or decolourised
semisolid, known as petroleum jelly in form of a clear
to faintly yellow liquid, known as mineral oil.
Petroleum
Generic name for hydrocarbons, including crude oil,
NGLs, natural gas and their products.
Petroleum products
Gasoline, kerosene, heavy fuel oil, lubricating oils,
petroleum jelly, and paraffin consist principally of
mixtures of paraffin hydrocarbons, which range from
lighter liquid members to solid members.
Propane (C3H8)
Colourless, odourless gas of alkane series of
hydrocarbons. It occurs in crude oil, in natural gas, and
as a by-product of petroleum refining.
Sour gas
Natural gas containing significant quantities of
hydrogen sulphide.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Acts as a precursor in formation of sulphate aerosols
which, unlike greenhouse gases, have a net negative
radiative forcing effect and tend to cool Earth's surface.
Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
Gases made from coals and other hydrocarboncontaining substances.
Wet Gas
Natural gas having significant amounts of heavier
hydrocarbons in gasoline range.
