This course is aimed at second -year license students specializing in oil and gas production . It constitutes a summarized synthesis of some works collected from several books (see bibliographical references) allowing for the provision of technical and scientific knowledge on the chemical composition of petroleum, as well as the classification of petroleum products, it also provides knowledge on refining processes and their main products and their physicochemical characteristics. Thus, environmental constraints and the evolution of refining are also detailed , also several analysis methods, Finally, some examples of petrochemical processes (PVC and ammonia) are presented.
Oil and gas chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the composition, properties, reactions, and processing of petroleum and natural gas. It focuses on understanding how hydrocarbons are formed, how they behave under different conditions, and how they can be transformed into useful fuels, chemicals, and materials.
Crude oil and natural gas are primarily made up of hydrocarbons, organic compounds containing hydrogen and carbon. These hydrocarbons range from simple molecules like methane to complex mixtures of long-chain and aromatic compounds. In addition to hydrocarbons, crude oil may contain small amounts of sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, metals, and water, which significantly influence refining processes and product quality.
Oil and gas chemistry plays a vital role in the exploration, production, refining, and environmental management of petroleum resources. Chemists help analyze reservoir fluids, improve drilling and recovery methods, design refining processes such as distillation and cracking, and develop catalysts that increase efficiency and reduce pollution.
Understanding oil and gas chemistry is essential for addressing modern challenges such as energy efficiency, fuel quality improvement, corrosion control, and minimizing environmental impact. As the global energy industry evolves, oil and gas chemistry continues to support the development of cleaner fuels and advanced petrochemical products.