Crude oil may be classified in several ways. A common classification describes the crude oil based on "weight" and "taste".
|
"Weight"
|
API Density
|
Viscosity and Amount of Wax
|
|
light
|
> 31.1
|
low
|
|
medium
|
22.3 to 31.1
|
low to intermediate
|
|
heavy
|
10 to 22.2
|
intermediate to high
|
|
extra heavy
|
< 10
|
high
|
where:
• API = American Petroleum Institute
|
"Taste"
|
Sulfur Content
|
|
sweet
|
< 0.5%
|
|
sour
|
>= 0.5%
|
There are 8 potential combinations of "taste" and "weight".
A light, sweet crude oil is easier to handle and to process, and it can be made into more desirable types of fuel.
