701-02 - Basic Petroleum Chemistry

701-02 - Basic Petroleum Chemistry

Learning objectives

  • Compare the definitions of petroleum and crude oil
  • Relate the physical states of hydrocarbons to their carbon content
  • Discuss how covalent bonds are formed between hydrogen and carbon
  • Explain the use of base names, prefixes, and suffixes to label hydrocarbons
  • Describe and compare the structure of paraffins
  • Describe and compare the structure of Napthenes
  • Describe and compare the structure of Aromatics
  • Describe and compare the structure of Olefins
  • Describe and compare the structure of alkynes
  • Identify correlations between physical properties of a hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon's molecular structure
  • List some contaminants commonly found in crude oil and explain their adverse effects on oil refining

Course overview

The Basic Petroleum Chemistry training course focuses on the chemical composition of petroleum. It examines properties associated with various hydrocarbon molecules found during crude oil refining. This online training course discusses the molecular structure, physical properties, naming conventions, and commercial uses of several common hydrocarbons.

This course explores:

  • Crude oil
  • Hydrocarbon covalent bonding
  • Hydrocarbon naming conventions
  • Hydrocarbon families - paraffins, napthenes, and aromatics
  • Hydrocarbon families - olefins and alkynes
  • Physical properties and molecular structure
  • Crude oil containments

Basic Petroleum Chemistry is part of the Petroleum Refining training series.


The individuals involved in the development and promotion of this course do not receive any compensation or financial benefits outside of their regular employment for their work on this course.


  • 40 minutes
  • Format: Online Interactive
  • Course ID: 6063
Language Icon English
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