| Key Terms |
Definition |
| Crude Oil |
A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in liquid phase in natural underground
reservoirs and remains liquid at atmospheric pressure after passing through
surface separating facilities. Depending upon the characteristics of the crude
stream, it may also include:
Small amounts of hydrocarbons that exist in gaseous phase in natural
underground reservoirs but are liquid at atmospheric pressure after being
recovered from oil well (casinghead) gas in lease separators and are subsequently
commingled with the crude stream without being separately measured. Lease
condensate recovered as a liquid from natural gas wells in lease or field
separation facilities and later mixed into the crude stream is also included;
Small amounts of nonhydrocarbons produced with the oil, such as sulfur and
various metals;
Drip gases, and liquid hydrocarbons produced from tar sands, oil sands,
gilsonite, and oil shale.
Liquids produced at natural gas processing plants are excluded. Crude oil is refined to produce
a wide array of petroleum products, including heating oils; gasoline, diesel and jet fuels;
lubricants; asphalt; ethane, propane, and butane; and many other products used for their
energy or chemical content.
|
| Pipeline (Petroleum) |
Crude oil and product pipelines used to transport crude oil and petroleum products respectively,
(including interstate, intrastate, and intracompany pipelines) within the 50 States and the
District of Columbia.
|
| Tanker and Barge |
Vessels that transport crude oil or petroleum products. Data are reported for movements between
PAD Districts; from a PAD District to the Panama Canal; or from the Panama Canal to a PAD District.
|
| Rail |
Crude oil movements on railroads to and from Canada, within the 50 States and the District of Columbia (including interstate and intrastate).
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Definitions