what are petroleum products

Petroleum products are materials derived from crude oil as it is processed in oil refineries. Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons that formed from plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Petroleum products are complex mixtures and include several classes of fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, heating oil, and heavier fuel oils. Refineries can produce different shares of petroleum products depending on the composition of the crude oil and the demands of the market. In addition to fuels, refineries also produce other chemicals, some of which are used in chemical processes to produce plastics and other useful materials. Petroleum products are used in transportation, heating, electricity generation, and as feedstocks for making chemicals, plastics, and synthetic materials. Over 6,000 items are made from petroleum waste by-products, including fertilizer, flooring, perfume, insecticide, petroleum jelly, soap, vitamins, and some essential amino acids.