What is the difference between crude oil, petroleum products, and petroleum?
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons that exists as a liquid in underground geologic formations and remains a liquid when brought to the surface.
Petroleum products are produced from the processing of crude oil and other liquids at petroleum refineries, from the extraction of liquid hydrocarbons at natural gas processing plants, and from the production of finished petroleum products at blending facilities. Petroleum is a broad category that includes both crude oil and petroleum products. The terms oil and petroleum are sometimes used interchangeably.
Last reviewed: November 1, 2024.
Other FAQs about Diesel
- Why are diesel fuel prices higher than gasoline prices?
- How much tax do we pay on a gallon of gasoline and on a gallon of diesel fuel?
- Does EIA publish inflation-adjusted gasoline and diesel fuel prices?
- When was the last refinery built in the United States?
- Does EIA publish off-road diesel fuel prices?
- What do I pay for in a gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel?
- How do I calculate diesel fuel surcharges?
- What are the projections for U.S. gasoline and diesel fuel prices?
- How many gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel are made from one barrel of oil?
- Does EIA have forecasts or projections for energy production, consumption, and prices for individual states?
- How much carbon dioxide is produced from U.S. gasoline and diesel fuel consumption?
- How much biomass-based liquid fuels are produced, imported, exported, and consumed in the United States?
- How do we calculate product supplied?