Posthuma, J. (1977). The composition of petroleum. Rapp. et Proc.-Verb. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer 171: 7-16
In: Rapports et Procès-Verbaux des Réunions du Conseil Permanent International pour l'Exploration de la Mer. Conseil Permanent International pour l'Exploration de la Mer: Copenhague. ISSN 0074-4336
Also appears in:
McIntyre, A.D.; Whittle, K.J. (Ed.) (1977). Petroleum Hydrocarbons in the Marine Environment: Proceedings from ICES Workshop held in Aberdeen 9-12 September 1975. Rapports et Procès-Verbaux des Réunions du Conseil Permanent International pour l'Exploration de la Mer, 171. Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer: Copenhagen. 7-230 pp., more
Petroleum has a complex chemical composition. It consists mainly of hydrocarbons; compounds containing oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur are usually of minor importance, while metals are even less abundant. The hydrocarbons vary widely in boiling point, molecular size and structure. Although relatively few individual compounds have been identified, several types of compounds can be distinguished. Crude oils differ considerably in composition, depending on the source matter, the thermal history of the source matter and alteration processes in subsurface reservoirs.
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