Archives August 2025

Whether we realize it or not, many everyday products, from fuel to plastics, come from the same source: crude oil.

Turning crude oil into valuable products requires a complex and lengthy process. In this article, we’ll break down everything about crude oil: how it’s formed, its types, and how it’s processed.

What Is Petroleum?

Crude oil, or petroleum, is a naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons found in the Earth’s crust, usually as a thick liquid that is black or dark brown in color.

It’s formed from the remains of ancient organisms such as plankton and plants that were buried millions of years ago.

Crude oil is highly energy-dense, easy to transport, and extremely versatile. That’s why it has become the main energy source for transportation, industry, and even power generation.

Crude oil is usually found in underground reservoirs within porous sedimentary rocks or near the surface as oil sands.

Once extracted, crude oil is sent to refineries where it is processed into various products such as gasoline, diesel, LPG, and raw materials for the petrochemical industry.

Read More: The Negative Environmental Impacts of Crude Oil

How Is Crude Oil Formed?

Crude oil doesn’t form overnight. It takes millions of years for organic remains to turn into the fuel we use today. Here’s how it happens:

Geological Process

The process starts with ancient organisms that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. When they died, their remains settled on the ocean floor and mixed with mud and sediments.

Over time, under high pressure and heat deep within the Earth, these remains transformed into hydrocarbons, which we now call crude oil.

Time Required

This transformation doesn’t happen quickly. It takes millions of years for pressure and heat to break down organic material into oil.

Because of this slow process, crude oil is classified as a non-renewable resource, meaning it depletes much faster than it forms.

Read More: The Best Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Crude Oil

Types of Crude Oil

Not all crude oil is the same. Crude extracted from one region can have different characteristics from that from another due to chemical composition and geological conditions.

Generally, crude oil is classified based on two main factors:

• Sulfur content (sweet vs. sour)
• Density or API gravity (light vs. heavy)

Here’s what they mean:

Sweet Crude Oil

Contains low sulfur (less than 0.5%), making it easier to refine and ideal for producing high-quality gasoline and diesel.

Sour Crude Oil

Has high sulfur content, requiring additional refining to remove sulfur. This makes processing more complex and expensive.

Light Crude Oil

Has low density (high API gravity) and contains more light fractions like gasoline and diesel, making it highly desirable for transportation fuels.

Heavy Crude Oil

Thicker and denser (low API gravity), harder to extract and refine, often needing upgrading before use as fuel. However, heavy crude is commonly used for products like asphalt and lubricants.

Read More: The Main Causes of Climate Change

How Is Crude Oil Refined?

Crude oil from wells can’t be used directly because it’s a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. It must be separated and purified in refineries through several processes.

This is what turns “black gold” into fuels and essential products for modern life.

Fractional Distillation

The first step is fractional distillation, which separates oil components based on boiling points. Here’s how it works:

• Crude oil is heated until most components vaporize.
• Vapors enter a fractionating column with trays at different temperatures.
• Vapors condense on trays according to their boiling points and are collected as separate fractions.

Examples of fractions:

• Gases (LPG) – lowest boiling point
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Diesel
• Lubricating oils
• Asphalt – heaviest fraction

Advanced Processes

Distillation alone isn’t enough to meet market demand. Modern refineries use additional processes like:

• Cracking: Breaks large molecules into smaller ones (e.g., converting heavy oil into gasoline).
• Catalytic Reforming: Increases gasoline octane rating.
• Desulfurization: Removes sulfur to make fuel cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

These processes ensure efficiency and compliance with quality standards.

End Products

Refined oil products include:

• Transportation fuels: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel
• Household needs: LPG
• Lubricants and industrial oils
• Asphalt for road construction
• Petrochemical feedstocks: plastics, synthetic fibers, detergents

Read More: Decarbonization, Why the World Must Shift to Clean Energy?

Challenges of Using Crude Oil

Burning crude oil produces greenhouse gases that accelerate global warming and climate change. It also releases pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, causing air pollution and acid rain.

Extraction, transportation, and refining pose risks such as oil spills that damage marine ecosystems and contaminate water sources.

As reserves are limited, companies are pushed to explore extreme locations, increasing costs and environmental risks.

Read More: The Crucial Role of Alternative Electricity Sources in Shaping Our Future

LNG: The Best Alternative to Crude Oil Today

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to about -162°C for easier transport and storage.

LNG is considered cleaner than crude oil because it emits less CO₂ and air pollutants during processing.

Its infrastructure is well-established, with LNG terminals, cryogenic tankers, and regasification facilities widely available, making LNG utilization efficient.

LNG’s advantages go beyond cleaner emissions. It also offers abundant reserves, transport flexibility, and price stability.

These characteristics make LNG a strategic solution for energy security and a concrete step toward a more sustainable energy future.

References:

• EIA. Accessed 2025. Oil and Petroleum Products Explained
• Epicorp. Accessed 2025. Petroleum Fractional Distillation Steps and Importance
• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Minyak dan Gas Bumi Terbentuk Jutaan Tahun

While fossil fuels still dominate national energy demand, several industries have already made the switch to LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative. For those seeking to explore more about this theme, it is highly recommended to learn about ghostwriter projektarbeit.

We know that the use of fossil fuels has negative impacts on the environment, health, and pollution. Switching to LNG is a strategic step in mitigating these impacts.

Curious which industries have made the switch? Let’s take a closer look.

Why Is LNG Better Than Other Fuels?

LNG is a much cleaner-burning fuel compared to diesel or gasoline. It emits significantly lower levels of carbon dioxide and virtually no sulfur or nitrogen oxides, the main culprits behind air pollution.

In terms of efficiency, LNG has a much higher energy density than CNG, approximately 2 to 3 times higher for the same volume. This allows LNG-fueled vehicles to travel longer distances without frequent refueling, making them suitable for long-distance transportation.

Economically, LNG tends to be cheaper than non-subsidized diesel fuel, thereby reducing operational costs.

The availability of natural gas reserves in Indonesia and the ongoing development of LNG infrastructure strengthen the potential for its widespread use in the transportation, industrial, and maritime sectors.

Read More: Why the Energy Crisis Poses a Serious Threat to the Global Economy?

5 Industries That Have Adopted LNG

As a cleaner and more efficient alternative to fossil fuels, LNG is gaining ground in key industrial sectors. Here are five that are already making the switch:

1. Land Transportation

While oil still dominates road transport, there’s growing adoption of LNG in heavy-duty vehicles and logistics fleets.

Long-haul trucks and urban buses are among the top candidates. In China, for example, LNG-powered freight trucks have seen a sharp increase in recent years.

Major logistics companies in Europe and North America have also begun piloting and integrating LNG trucks into their operations. The development of LNG refueling stations for land transport is expanding to support this transition.

Read More: Is Transportation Truly the Biggest Energy Consumer?

2. Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry, a major energy consumer, is gradually transitioning to LNG, especially in sectors like ceramics, cement, and steel.

LNG helps these companies meet strict emissions regulations, reduces air pollutants, and improves combustion efficiency.

Many manufacturers have invested in LNG receiving and regasification facilities at their plant sites, showcasing a serious commitment to cleaner, greener energy.

3. Power Generation

Power plants are among the largest consumers of natural gas, and LNG plays a vital role in meeting rising global electricity demands.

Gas-fired power plants are far more efficient and flexible than coal-fired ones, while emitting significantly lower greenhouse gases.

Take Japan, one of the world’s top LNG importers, heavily reliant on LNG for power generation, particularly after the Fukushima disaster led to a sharp decline in nuclear energy use.

In Europe and the US, many coal power plants have been replaced or converted to natural gas facilities to meet emission reduction targets.

Read More: The Benefits of Alternative Energy Over Fossil Fuels

4. Maritime Industry

The shipping sector has been an early adopter of LNG. Due to increasingly strict IMO (International Maritime Organization) regulations on sulfur emissions, large vessels are shifting away from conventional oil-based fuels toward cleaner alternatives like LNG.

Major shipping companies, including CMA CGM, have invested billions in LNG-powered container ships since 2020.

LNG bunkering infrastructure is also rapidly expanding across major global ports, signaling a worldwide commitment to cleaner marine energy.

5. Mining

The mining industry has also begun to explore LNG as a cost-effective and cleaner solution. LNG can replace diesel in on-site power generation, and even fuel heavy mining equipment directly.

Large mining companies in Australia and North America have already integrated LNG into their operations.

In remote areas without access to gas pipelines, some mines have built regasification units to convert LNG back to gas for use across the site.

Read More: Why Biogas Can Save Energy: Here’s the Real Fact!

Positive Impact of LNG on Industry

Adopting LNG across industries brings multiple environmental and economic benefits. On the environmental side, the use of LNG drastically reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants by up to 23% compared to oil-based fuels, thus becoming a mitigation measure, making it a powerful tool for climate change mitigation.

Economically, LNG offers more stable and often lower fuel costs than coal or petroleum, while also improving combustion efficiency.

Maintenance costs for LNG-powered equipment can also be lower, contributing to overall operational savings.

As LNG infrastructure develops, distribution and processing costs will become increasingly competitive. This will make LNG a realistic transition solution to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

References:

• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Pertamina Rintis Pemanfaatan LNG untuk Transportasi dan Rumah Tangga
• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Pemerintah Dorong Penggunaan LNG untuk Kapal Laut
• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Industri Hulu MIgas Dukung Pemanfaatan LNG untuk Pembangkit Listrik

Two types of energy sources play a vital role in human life: renewable energy and non-renewable energy.

Each type of energy has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we need to understand the differences between the two to manage energy resources more wisely. For those seeking to explore more about this theme, it is highly recommended to learn about ghostwriter bachelor.

This understanding is crucial to ensure that the use of these energy sources does not have detrimental impacts on human life today or for future generations.

What Are Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources?

Renewable energy comes from natural resources that are replenished naturally over a relatively short period of time.

Examples include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, biomass, and ocean wave energy.

Non-renewable energy, on the other hand, comes from sources that are finite and cannot be naturally replenished within a human timescale.

The more we use them, the more quickly they deplete. Fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal are prime examples.

Read More: The Best Energy Alternative to Fossil Fuels

Key Differences Between Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy

While most people associate the main difference with their sources, the distinction between these two types of energy goes much deeper:

Availability

Renewable energy is abundant and replenished naturally from environmental sources like the sun, wind, or water. It allows us to meet our energy needs without excessive resource exploitation.

Non-renewable energy is limited in supply. Once consumed, it takes millions of years to regenerate. Continuous use leads to depletion, requiring new extraction efforts to find replacements.

Environmental Impact

Renewable energy is environmentally friendly. It produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions and does not pollute the air, water, or soil. It’s widely recognized as a cleaner alternative that supports climate goals.

In contrast, non-renewable energy causes significant environmental harm. Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and extreme climate change.

It also results in air and water pollution that can harm ecosystems and human health.

Cost and Efficiency

Renewable energy requires a high upfront investment for infrastructure like solar panels or wind turbines.

However, operational costs are typically low over time. Efficiency depends on technology and environmental conditions.

Non-renewable energy often has lower initial costs but higher ongoing operational expenses due to fuel supply needs.

While it’s currently more energy-dense and efficient, its limited availability and environmental cost are major drawbacks.

Read More: Why Biogas Can Save Energy?

Pros and Cons of Each Energy Type

Despite their significant benefits for supporting energy needs from industry to households, both renewable and non-renewable energy sources have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s discuss them!

Renewable Energy

The advantage of renewable energy sources is their ability to produce low, even near-zero, greenhouse gas emissions. This is why they are highly environmentally friendly.

This shows that renewable energy can be chosen as an effort to mitigate the impact of global warming.

The advantage of renewable energy is that they are abundant and inexhaustible, making it a long-term energy supply and a replacement for fossil fuels.

Unfortunately, renewable energy has challenges. For example, electricity production is highly dependent on the surrounding weather, making energy availability unstable.

Furthermore, they require extensive land for installation and initial infrastructure development.

Non-renewable Energy

Renewable energy remains the world’s primary source of electricity generation. For example, oil and coal remain the primary global energy sources.

The advantage of non-renewable energy is its high energy density. This means it can produce large amounts of energy. Furthermore, its availability and reliability are also advantages due to its stable supply.

Unfortunately, non-renewable energy has a serious environmental impact because its combustion process releases large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global climate change.

The process of extracting non-renewable energy sources can also cause air and water pollution, which can threaten human health. Because they are limited, non-renewable energy sources will eventually run out.

Read More: 7 Organic Wastes That Produce Energy

The Critical Role of LNG in the Energy Transition

Renewable and non-renewable energy sources each have their own advantages. When utilized appropriately, both can provide numerous benefits to human life.

However, we are currently in the midst of global demands for an energy transition, namely a shift from a fossil fuel-based energy system to cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable energy sources.

In this transition, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) plays a crucial role as a bridge to clean energy. LNG is a liquefied natural gas that produces lower emissions than coal and oil.

One of the advantages of LNG is the readiness of its technology and supporting infrastructure. From the liquefaction process, transportation by special vessels, to regasification terminals, everything is already available, including in Indonesia!

This allows LNG to be moved more easily without pipelines to various regions.

By utilizing LNG, we can gradually reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, while paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

References:

• EIA. Accessed 2025. Energy Explained
• Department of Energy. Accessed 2025. Renewable Energy Pillar