Page 19 - Pakistan Oilfields Limited - Annual Report 2020

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An oily, flammable liquid that occurs naturally in deposits, usually beneath the surface
of the earth. It consists principally of a mixture of hydrocarbons, with traces of various
nitrogenous and sulphurous compounds. During the past 600 million years, incompletely
decayed plant and animal remains have become buried under thick layers of rock. It is
believed that petroleum consists of the remains of these organisms but it is the small microscopic
plankton organism remains that are largely responsible for the relatively high organic carbon content of
fine-grained sediments which are the principle source rocks for petroleum.
Little use other than as lamp fuel was made of petroleum until the development of the gasoline engine
and its application to automobiles, trucks, tractors and airplanes. Today the world is heavily dependent on
petroleum for motive power, lubrication, fuel, dyes, drugs and many synthetics.
CRUDE OIL
Natural mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons found issuing from the ground or obtained f
rom specially driven wells. The composition of natural gas varies in different localities. Its
chief component, methane, usually makes up from 70% to 95% and the balance is
composed of varying amounts of ethane, propane, butane and other hydrocarbon compounds.
Although commonly associated with deposits, it also occurs separately in sand, sandstone and
limestone deposits. Some geologists theorize that natural gas is a byproduct of decaying vegetable
matter in underground strata, while others think it may be primordial gases that rise up from the mantle.
Because of its flammability and high calorific value, natural gas is used extensively as an illuminant and
a fuel.
NATURAL GAS
LPG is a mixture of gases, chiefly propane and butane, produced commercially from
petroleum and stored under pressure to keep it in a liquid state. The boiling point of
liquefied petroleum gas varies from about -44°C to 0°C, so that the pressure required to
liquefy it is considerable and the containers for it must be of heavy steel. Common uses are for cooking
and heating and lighting. It is also used for powering automotive vehicles. LPG is an attractive fuel for
internal- combustion engines because it burns with little air pollution and little solid residue.
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)
Solvent oil is one of the five major oil products closely related to people’s daily life. Its
application sectors also have a constant expansion. There are also extensive uses in rubber,
leather and adhesive sectors.
SOLVENT OIL
Solid Sulphur occurs principally in three forms, all of which are brittle, yellow in color,
odorless, tasteless, and insoluble in water. It is a chemically active element and forms many
compounds, both by itself (sulfides) and in combination with other elements. It is part of many
organic compounds.
Sulphur is used in black gunpowder, matches and fireworks; in the vulcanization of rubber; as a fungicide
and insecticide; and in the treatment of certain skin diseases. The principal use of Sulphur is in the
preparation of its compounds. The most important Sulphur compound is Sulphuric acid.
SULPHUR
PRODUCTS
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PAKISTANOILFIELDS LIMITED