sweet crude / sour crude what does this mean?

[kanicbird]

After reading up on the SPR I have come up with 2 types of crude (oil), sweet and sour. What is the diffrence and are there any more types?
Thanks

[UncleBeer]

Sweet crude has a lower sulphur content (less than 1%) than sour crude. Sulphur must be removed before refining, thus sweet crudes are more costly than sour crudes.

I'll let the experts, like beatle, handle other type of raw petroleums. You might want to dig up a link the API, the American Petroleum Institute. I'm sure they've got a wealth of data there.

[yabob]

Only Chinese oil fields produce both simultaneously ...

[Rysdad]

Originally posted by yabob
Only Chinese oil fields produce both simultaneously ...

:D

[UncleBeer]

Nice one, yabob.

[bernse]

FWIW Natural Gas has a similar system of naming as well.

Eric

[Gregor Samsa]

Originally posted by bernse
FWIW Natural Gas has a similar system of naming as well.



"Sour gas" has hydrogen sulfide (H2S) still in it; "sweet gas" has had the H2S removed. H2S is extremely toxic, BTW.

[Phobos]

Originally posted by Pipeliner
H2S is extremely toxic, BTW.


Only if you breathe it in or touch it. :D

[Enright3]

Having worked on an oil drilling rig several years ago, I can tell you one thing... uh... that I worked on an oil drilling rig several years ago.

[KneadToKnow]

Whenever the conversation turns to "crude oil," I still see Ross Martin dressed up like an Arab sheik from an old episode of Sanford and Son saying "Crude is goooood!"

[TampaFlyer]

Sweet crude is much better on pancakes. ;)