Definitions of Petroleum Products and Other Terms: (Revised July 2007)
Definitions of Petroleum Products and Other Terms: (Revised July 2007)
Definitions of Petroleum Products and Other Terms: (Revised July 2007)
Aromatics. Hydrocarbons characterized by unsaturated ring the environmental constraints associated with refinery
structures of carbon atoms. Commercial petroleum aromatics are operations;
benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). the reduction of capacity for scheduled downtime due to
such conditions as routine inspection, maintenance,
Asphalt. A dark-brown-to-black cement-like material containing repairs, and turnaround; and
bitumens as the predominant constituent obtained by petroleum
processing; used primarily for road construction. It includes crude the reduction of capacity for unscheduled downtime due to
asphalt as well as the following finished products: cements, fluxes, such conditions as mechanical problems, repairs, and
the asphalt content of emulsions (exclusive of water), and slowdowns.
petroleum distillates blended with asphalt to make cutback
asphalts. Note: The conversion factor for asphalt is 5.5 barrels per Barrels Per Stream Day. The maximum number of barrels of
short ton. input that a distillation facility can process within a 24-hour period
when running at full capacity under optimal crude and product
ASTM. The acronym for the American Society for Testing and slate conditions with no allowance for downtime.
Materials.
Benzene (C6H6). An aromatic hydrocarbon present in small
Atmospheric Crude Oil Distillation. The refining process of proportion in some crude oils and made commercially from
separating crude oil components at atmospheric pressure by petroleum by the catalytic reforming of naphthenes in petroleum
heating to temperatures of about 600 degrees Fahrenheit to 750 naphtha. Also made from coal in the manufacture of coke. Used as
degrees Fahrenheit (depending on the nature of the crude oil and a solvent, in manufacturing detergents, synthetic fibers, and
desired products) and subsequent condensing of the fractions by petrochemicals and as a component of high-octane gasoline.
cooling.
Blending Plant. A facility which has no refining capability but is Recycled Feeds. Feeds that are continuously fed back for
either capable of producing finished motor gasoline through additional processing.
mechanical blending or blends oxygenates with motor gasoline.
Catalytic Hydrocracking. A refining process that uses hydrogen
Bonded Petroleum Imports. Petroleum imported and entered into and catalysts with relatively low temperatures and high pressures
Customs bonded storage. These imports are not included in the for converting middle boiling or residual material to high-octane
import statistics until they are: (1) withdrawn from storage free of gasoline, reformer charge stock, jet fuel, and/or high grade fuel oil.
duty for use as fuel for vessels and aircraft engaged in international The process uses one or more catalysts, depending upon product
trade; or (2) withdrawn from storage with duty paid for domestic output, and can handle high sulfur feedstocks without prior
use. desulfurization.
BTX. The acronym for the commercial petroleum aromatics Catalytic Hydrotreating. A refining process for treating petroleum
benzene, toluene, and xylene. See individual categories for fractions from atmospheric or vacuum distillation units (e.g.,
definitions. naphthas, middle distillates, reformer feeds, residual fuel oil, and
heavy gas oil) and other petroleum (e.g., cat cracked naphtha,
Bulk Station. A facility used primarily for the storage and/or coker naphtha, gas oil, etc.) in the presence of catalysts and
marketing of petroleum products which has a total bulk storage substantial quantities of hydrogen. Hydrotreating includes
capacity of less than 50,000 barrels and receives its petroleum desulfurization, removal of substances (e.g., nitrogen compounds)
products by tank car or truck. that deactivate catalysts, conversion of olefins to paraffins to
reduce gum formation in gasoline, and other processes to upgrade
Bulk Terminal. A facility used primarily for the storage and/or the quality of the fractions.
marketing of petroleum products which has a total bulk storage
capacity of 50,000 barrels or more and/or receives petroleum Catalytic Reforming. A refining process using controlled heat and
products by tanker, barge, or pipeline. pressure with catalysts to rearrange certain hydrocarbon
molecules, thereby converting paraffinic and naphthenic type
Butane (C4H10). A normally gaseous straight-chain or hydrocarbons (e.g., low-octane gasoline boiling range fractions)
branch-chain hydrocarbon extracted from natural gas or refinery into petrochemical feedstocks and higher octane stocks suitable
gas streams. It includes normal butane and refinery-grade butane for blending into finished gasoline. Catalytic reforming is reported
and is designated in ASTM Specification D1835 and Gas in two categories. They are:
Processors Association Specifications for commercial butane.
Low Pressure. A processing unit operating at less than
Normal Butane (C4H10). A normally gaseous 225 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG) measured at the
straight-chain hydrocarbon that is a colorless paraffinic outlet separator.
gas which boils at a temperature of 31.1 degrees High Pressure. A processing unit operating at either equal
Fahrenheit and is extracted from natural gas or refinery to or greater than 225 pounds per square inch gauge
gas streams. (PSIG) measured at the outlet separator.
Refinery-Grade Butane (C4H10). A refinery-produced
stream that is composed predominantly of normal butane Charge Capacity. The input (feed) capacity of the refinery
and/or isobutane and may also contain propane and/or processing facilities.
natural gasoline. These streams may also contain
significant levels of olefins and/or fluorides Coal. A readily combustible black or brownish-black rock whose
contamination. composition, including inherent moisture, consists of more than 50
percent by weight and more than 70 percent by volume of
Butylene (C4H8). An olefinic hydrocarbon recovered from carbonaceous material. It is formed from plant remains that have
refinery processes. been compacted, hardened, chemically altered, and
metamorphosed by heat and pressure over geologic time.
Captive Refinery Oxygenate Plants. Oxygenate production
facilities located within or adjacent to a refinery complex. Commercial Kerosene-Type Jet Fuel. See Kerosene-Type Jet
Fuel.
Catalytic Cracking. The refining process of breaking down the
larger, heavier, and more complex hydrocarbon molecules into Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending (CBOB). See
simpler and lighter molecules. Catalytic cracking is accomplished Motor Gasoline Blending Components.
by the use of a catalytic agent and is an effective process for
increasing the yield of gasoline from crude oil. Catalytic cracking Conventional Gasoline. See Motor Gasoline (Finished).
processes fresh feeds and recycled feeds.
Crude Oil. A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in liquid phase
in natural underground reservoirs and remains liquid at
atmospheric pressure after passing through surface separating
Liquids produced at natural gas processing plants are excluded. Distillate Fuel Oil. A general classification for one of the
Crude oil is refined to produce a wide array of petroleum products, petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation
including heating oils; gasoline, diesel and jet fuels; lubricants; operations. It includes diesel fuels and fuel oils. Products known
asphalt; ethane, propane, and butane; and many other products as No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 diesel fuel are used in on-highway diesel
used for their energy or chemical content. engines, such as those in trucks and automobiles, as well as
off-highway engines, such as those in railroad locomotives and
Crude oil is considered as either domestic or foreign, according to agricultural machinery. Products known as No. 1, No. 2, and No.
the following: 4 fuel oils are used primarily for space heating and electric power
generation.
Domestic. Crude oil produced in the United States or from
its Aouter continental shelf’ as defined in 43 USC 1331. No. 1 Distillate. A light petroleum distillate that can be
used as either a diesel fuel or a fuel oil.
Foreign. Crude oil produced outside the United States.
Imported Athabasca hydrocarbons (tar sands from No. 1 Diesel Fuel. A light distillate fuel oil that has a
Canada) are included. distillation temperature of 550 degrees Fahrenheit at
the 90-percent recovery point and meets the
Crude Oil, Refinery Receipts. Receipts of domestic and foreign specifications defined in ASTM Specification D 975.
crude oil at a refinery. Includes all crude oil in transit except crude It is used in high speed diesel engines generally
oil in transit by pipeline. Foreign crude oil is reported as a receipt operated under frequent speed and load changes, such
only after entry through customs. Crude oil of foreign origin held as those in city buses and similar vehicles. See No. 1
in bonded storage is excluded. Distillate.
No. 1 Fuel Oil. A light distillate fuel oil that has
Crude Oil Losses. Represents the volume of crude oil reported by distillation temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit at
petroleum refineries as being lost in their operations. These losses the 10-percent recovery point and 550 degrees
are due to spills, contamination, fires, etc. as opposed to refinery Fahrenheit at the 90-percent recovery point and meets
processing losses. the specifications defined in ASTM Specification D
396. It is used primarily as fuel for portable outdoor
Crude Oil Production. The volume of crude oil produced from oil stoves and portable outdoor heaters. See No. 1
reservoirs during given periods of time. The amount of such Distillate.
production for a given period is measured as volumes delivered
from lease storage tanks (i.e., the point of custody transfer) to No. 2 Distillate. A petroleum distillate that can be used as
pipelines, trucks, or other media for transport to refineries or either a diesel fuel or a fuel oil.
terminals with adjustments for (1) net differences between
opening and closing lease inventories, and (2) basic sediment and No. 2 Diesel Fuel. A distillate fuel oil that has a
water (BS&W). distillation temperature of 640 degrees Fahrenheit at
the 90-percent recovery point and meets the
Crude Oil Qualities. Refers to two properties of crude oil, the specifications defined in ASTM Specification D 975.
sulfur content and API gravity, which affect processing It is used in high-speed diesel engines that are
complexity and product characteristics. generally operated under uniform speed and load
conditions, such as those in railroad locomotives,
Delayed Coking. A process by which heavier crude oil fractions trucks, and automobiles. See No. 2 Distillate.
can be thermally decomposed under conditions of elevated Low Sulfur No. 2 Diesel Fuel. No. 2 diesel fuel
temperatures and pressure to produce a mixture of lighter oils and that has a sulfur level no higher than 0.05 parts per
petroleum coke. The light oils can be processed further in other
High-Sulfur Distillate Fuel Oil. Distillate fuel oil having sulfur Commercial. Kerosene-type jet fuel intended for use in
content greater than 500 ppm. commercial aircraft.
Hydrogen. The lightest of all gases, occurring chiefly in Military. Kerosene-type jet fuel intended for use in
combination with oxygen in water; exists also in acids, bases, military aircraft.
alcohols, petroleum, and other hydrocarbons.
Lease Condensate. A mixture consisting primarily of pentanes
Idle Capacity. The component of operable capacity that is not in and heavier hydrocarbons which is recovered as a liquid from
operation and not under active repair, but capable of being placed natural gas in lease separation facilities. This category excludes
in operation within 30 days; and capacity not in operation but natural gas liquids, such as butane and propane, which are
under active repair that can be completed within 90 days. recovered at downstream natural gas processing plants or
facilities. See Natural Gas Liquids.
Imported Crude Oil Burned As Fuel. The amount of foreign
crude oil burned as a fuel oil, usually as residual fuel oil, without Light Gas Oils. Liquid Petroleum distillates heavier than naphtha,
being processed as such. Imported crude oil burned as fuel with an approximate boiling range from 401 degrees Fahrenheit to
includes lease condensate and liquid hydrocarbons produced from 650 degrees Fahrenheit.
tar sands, gilsonite, and oil shale.
Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG). A group of
Imports. Receipts of crude oil and petroleum products into the 50 hydrocarbon-based gases derived from crude oil refining or
States and the District of Columbia from foreign countries, Puerto natural gas fractionation. They include: ethane, ethylene, propane,
Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other U.S. possessions and territories. propylene, normal butane, butylene, isobutane, and isobutylene.
For convenience of transportation, these gases are liquefied
Isobutane (C4H10). A normally gaseous branch-chain through pressurization.
hydrocarbon. It is a colorless paraffinic gas that boils at a
temperature of 10.9 degrees Fahrenheit. It is extracted from Liquefied Refinery Gases (LRG). Liquefied petroleum gases
natural gas or refinery gas streams. fractionated from refinery or still gases. Through compression
and/or refrigeration, they are retained in the liquid state. The
Isobutylene (C4H8). An olefinic hydrocarbon recovered from reported categories are ethane/ethylene, propane/propylene,
refinery processes or petrochemical processes. normal butane/butylene, and isobutane/isobutylene. Excludes still
gas.
Isohexane (C6H14). A saturated branch-chain hydrocarbon. It is a
colorless liquid that boils at a temperature of 156.2 degrees Low-Sulfur Distillate Fuel Oil. Distillate fuel oil having sulfur
Fahrenheit. content greater than 15 ppm to 500 ppm. Low sulfur distillate fuel
oil also includes product with sulfur content equal to or less than
Isomerization. A refining process which alters the fundamental 15 ppm if the product is intended for pipeline shipment and the
arrangement of atoms in the molecule without adding or removing pipeline has a sulfur specification below 15 ppm.
anything from the original material. Used to convert normal
butane into isobutane (C4), an alkylation process feedstock, and Lubricants. Substances used to reduce friction between bearing
normal pentane and hexane into isopentane (C5) and isohexane surfaces or as process materials either incorporated into other
(C6), high-octane gasoline components. materials used as processing aids in the manufacture of other
products, or used as carriers of other materials. Petroleum
Isopentane. See Natural Gasoline and Isopentane. lubricants may be produced either from distillates or residues.
Lubricants include all grades of lubricating oils from spindle oil to
Kerosene. A light petroleum distillate that is used in space heaters, cylinder oil and those used in greases.
cook stoves, and water heaters and is suitable for use as a light
source when burned in wick-fed lamps. Kerosene has a maximum Merchant Oxygenate Plants. Oxygenate production facilities that
distillation temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit at the are not associated with a petroleum refinery. Production from
Conventional Gasoline. Finished motor gasoline not Motor Gasoline Blending Components. Naphthas (e.g.,
included in the oxygenated or reformulated gasoline straight-run gasoline, alkylate, reformate, benzene, toluene,
categories. Note: This category excludes reformulated xylene) used for blending or compounding into finished motor
gasoline blendstock for oxygenate blending (RBOB) as gasoline. These components include reformulated gasoline
well as other blendstock. blendstock for oxygenate blending (RBOB) but exclude
oxygenates (alcohols, ethers), butane, and pentanes plus. Note:
OPRG. “Oxygenated Fuels Program Reformulated
Oxygenates are reported as individual components and are
Gasoline” is reformulated gasoline which is intended for
included in the total for other hydrocarbons, hydrogens, and
use in an oxygenated fuels program control area. oxygenates.
Oxygenated Gasoline (Including Gasohol). Oxygenated
gasoline includes all finished motor gasoline, other than Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending
reformulated gasoline, having oxygen content of 2.0 (CBOB). Conventional gasoline blendstock intended for
percent or higher by weight. Gasohol containing a blending with oxygenates downstream of the refinery
minimum 5.7 percent ethanol by volume is included in where it was produced. CBOB must become conventional
oxygenated gasoline. Oxygenated gasoline was reported gasoline after blending with oxygenates. Motor gasoline
as a separate product from January 1993 until December blending components that require blending other than with
2003 inclusive. Beginning with monthly data for January oxygenates to become finished conventional gasoline are
2004, oxygenated gasoline is included in conventional reported as All Other Motor Gasoline Blending
gasoline. Historical data for oxygenated gasoline Components. Excludes reformulated blendstock for
excluded Federal Oxygenated Program Reformulated oxygenate blending (RBOB).
Gasoline (OPRG). Historical oxygenated gasoline data Gasoline Treated as Blendstock (GTAB). Non-certified
also excluded other reformulated gasoline with a seasonal Foreign Refinery gasoline classified by an importer as
oxygen requirement regardless of season. blendstock to be either blended or reclassified with respect
Reformulated Gasoline. Finished gasoline formulated to reformulated or conventional gasoline. GTAB is
for use in motor vehicles, the composition and properties classified as either reformulated or conventional based on
of which meet the requirements of the reformulated emissions performance and the intended end use.
gasoline regulations promulgated by the U.S.
Production Capacity. The maximum amount of product that can Refinery Yield. Refinery yield (expressed as a percentage)
be produced from processing facilities. represents the percent of finished product produced from input of
crude oil and net input of unfinished oils. It is calculated by
Products Supplied. Approximately represents consumption of dividing the sum of crude oil and net unfinished input into the
petroleum products because it measures the disappearance of these individual net production of finished products. Before calculating
products from primary sources, i.e., refineries, natural gas the yield for finished motor gasoline, the input of natural gas
processing plants, blending plants, pipelines, and bulk terminals. liquids, other hydrocarbons and oxygenates, and net input of motor
In general, product supplied of each product in any given period is gasoline blending components must be subtracted from the net
computed as follows: field production, plus refinery production, production of finished motor gasoline. Before calculating the yield
plus imports, plus unaccounted for crude oil, (plus net receipts for finished aviation gasoline, input of aviation gasoline blending
when calculated on a PAD District basis), minus stock change, components must be subtracted from the net production of finished
minus crude oil losses, minus refinery inputs, minus exports. aviation gasoline.
Propane (C3H8). A normally gaseous straight-chain hydrocarbon. Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending (RBOB). See
It is a colorless paraffinic gas that boils at a temperature of - 43.67 Motor Gasoline Blending Components.
degrees Fahrenheit. It is extracted from natural gas or refinery gas
streams. It includes all products designated in ASTM Reformulated Gasoline. See Motor Gasoline (Finished).
Specification D1835 and Gas Processors Association
Specifications for commercial propane and HD-5 propane. Residual Fuel Oil. A general classification for the heavier oils,
known as No. 5 and No. 6 fuel oils, that remain after the distillate
Propylene (C3H6). An olefinic hydrocarbon recovered from fuel oils and lighter hydrocarbons are distilled away in refinery
refinery processes or petrochemical processes. operations. It conforms to ASTM Specifications D 396 and D 975
and Federal Specification VV-F-815C. No. 5, a residual fuel oil of
Propylene (C3H6) (nonfuel use). Propylene that is medium viscosity, is also known as Navy Special and is defined in
intended for use in nonfuel applications such as Military Specification MIL-F-859E, including Amendment 2
petrochemical manufacturing. Nonfuel use propylene (NATO Symbol F-770). It is used in steam-powered vessels in
includes chemical-grade propylene, polymer-grade government service and inshore power plants. No. 6 fuel oil
propylene, and trace amounts of propane. Nonfuel use includes Bunker C fuel oil and is used for the production of electric
propylene also includes the propylene component of power, space heating, vessel bunkering, and various industrial
propane/propylene mixes where the propylene will be purposes.
separated from the mix in a propane/propylene splitting
process. Excluded is the propylene component of Residuum. Residue from crude oil after distilling off all but the
propane/propylene mixes where the propylene component heaviest components, with a boiling range greater than 1000
of the mix is intended for sale into the fuel market. degrees Fahrenheit.
Refinery. An installation that manufactures finished petroleum Road Oil. Any heavy petroleum oil, including residual asphaltic
products from crude oil, unfinished oils, natural gas liquids, other oil used as a dust palliative and surface treatment on roads and
hydrocarbons, and oxygenates. highways. It is generally produced in six grades from 0, the most
liquid, to 5, the most viscous.
Refinery-Grade Butane. See Butane.
Shell Storage Capacity. The design capacity of a petroleum
Refinery Input, Crude Oil. Total crude oil (domestic plus foreign) storage tank which is always greater than or equal to working
input to crude oil distillation units and other refinery processing storage capacity.
units (cokers, etc.).
Special Naphthas. All finished products within the naphtha
Refinery Input, Total. The raw materials and intermediate boiling range that are used as paint thinners, cleaners, or solvents.
materials processed at refineries to produce finished petroleum These products are refined to a specified flash point. Special
products. They include crude oil, products of natural gas naphthas include all commercial hexane and cleaning solvents
processing plants, unfinished oils, other hydrocarbons and conforming to ASTM Specification D1836 and D484,
Supply. The components of petroleum supply are field production, Vacuum Distillation. Distillation under reduced pressure (less the
refinery production, imports, and net receipts when calculated on a atmospheric) which lowers the boiling temperature of the liquid
PAD District basis. being distilled. This technique with its relatively low temperatures
prevents cracking or decomposition of the charge stock.
TAME (Tertiary amyl methyl ether) (CH3)2(C2H5)COCH3. An
oxygenate blend stock formed by the catalytic etherification of Visbreaking. A thermal cracking process in which heavy
isoamylene with methanol. atmospheric or vacuum-still bottoms are cracked at moderate
temperatures to increase production of distillate products and
Tank Farm. An installation used by gathering and trunk pipeline reduce viscosity of the distillation residues.
companies, crude oil producers, and terminal operators (except
refineries) to store crude oil. Wax. A solid or semi-solid material at 77 degrees Fahrenheit
consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained or derived from
Tanker and Barge. Vessels that transport crude oil or petroleum petroleum fractions, or through a Fischer-Tropsch type process, in
products. Data are reported for movements between PAD which the straight-chained paraffin series predominates. This
Districts; from a PAD District to the Panama Canal; or from the includes all marketable wax, whether crude or refined, with a
Panama Canal to a PAD District. congealing point (ASTM D 938) between 80 (or 85) and 240
degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum oil content (ASTM D 3235) of
TBA (Tertiary butyl alcohol) (CH3)3COH. An alcohol primarily 50 weight percent.
used as a chemical feedstock, a solvent or feedstock for
isobutylene production for MTBE; produced as a co-product of Working Storage Capacity. The difference in volume between the
propylene oxide production or by direct hydration of isobutylene. maximum safe fill capacity and the quantity below which pump
suction is ineffective (bottoms).