naftën

Nafta, or petroleum (Albanian: naftë), is a broad category of liquid hydrocarbons found in underground reservoirs formed from the remains of ancient plants and microorganisms. It is typically extracted as crude oil, a complex mixture whose exact composition varies by source. Common components include alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics, along with trace amounts of sulfur, nitrogen, and metals.

Formation occurs over millions of years in sedimentary basins where organic matter is buried and transformed by heat and pressure. Crude oil is retrieved by drilling wells, often alongside natural gas, and then separated from water and other impurities. Recovery may involve primary production and enhanced techniques to increase yield.

Refining converts crude oil into a broad range of products. Through distillation and chemical processing, refineries produce fuels such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil; lubricants; asphalt for paving; and feedstocks for petrochemicals used to manufacture plastics, solvents, and synthetic materials.

Globally, nafta plays a central role in energy and industry. Price and supply are influenced by production decisions, geopolitical events, and market structures, with benchmarks such as Brent and WTI guiding global trading. Major producing regions include parts of the Middle East, North America, and Russia, while consumption is widespread in transport, power generation, and industry.

Environmental and social considerations are integral to nafta use. Extraction and burning emit greenhouse gases and pollutants; spill risks threaten ecosystems; and regulatory measures address safety, emissions, and land use. The energy sector faces ongoing transitions toward more sustainable and diversified energy sources, while nafta remains a key commodity in the global economy.