petroleumi

Petroleumi, also known as petroleum or crude oil, is a naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth's surface. It is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, primarily alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons, along with smaller amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur compounds. Petroleum is believed to have been formed from the remains of ancient organisms, such as zooplankton and algae, that were deposited in marine or lake beds millions of years ago. Over time, these organic materials were buried under layers of sediment and subjected to heat and pressure, transforming them into petroleum.

The extraction of petroleum, known as oil drilling, involves drilling wells into the Earth's crust to access underground reservoirs. Once extracted, petroleum is transported to refineries, where it undergoes a process called fractional distillation. This process separates the crude oil into various fractions based on their boiling points, yielding useful products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel, lubricating oils, and asphalt. Petroleum is a vital commodity in the global economy, serving as a primary source of energy for transportation, heating, and electricity generation. It is also a key ingredient in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, fertilizers, and many other industrial and consumer products. The extraction, refining, and consumption of petroleum have significant environmental implications, including air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the risk of oil spills.