Crude oil is commonly classified based on its API Gravity, which indicates how light or heavy the oil is compared with water.
🛢️ Light Crude Oil
High API gravity, typically above 31.1° API.
It flows easily and generally produces higher-value products such as gasoline and diesel.
🛢️ Medium Crude Oil
Usually between 22.3° and 31.1° API.
It offers a balance between production, transportation, and refining requirements.
🛢️ Heavy Crude Oil
Typically between 10° and 22.3° API.
It is more viscous, denser, and requires more complex refining.
🛢️ Extra-Heavy Crude Oil
Below 10° API.
It has very high viscosity and often requires advanced recovery, transportation, and upgrading technologies.
The lower the API gravity, the heavier and generally more viscous the crude oil.
Understanding crude oil properties is essential for reservoir evaluation, production planning, transportation, and refinery design.