What Is Crude Oil’s Chemical Formula?

By Staff WriterLast Updated August 04, 2015

The chemical formula for crude oil is C_nH_2n+2, where n is a positive integer. Crude oil is basically a combination of various hydrocarbon molecules, which comprise of hydrogen, H and carbon, C atoms.

Among the types of hydrocarbons present in crude oil, alkanes are predominant. Examples of such alkanes are ethane (C₂H₆), butane (C₄H₁₀) and propane (C₃H₈). Crude oil varies in composition, color and consistency based on the oil’s hydrocarbon molecule combination. Light crude oil refers to high viscosity oil that has a light color and consistency. Its sulfur and metal content is low. Heavy crude oil’s sulfur and metal content is high. Its viscosity is low, requiring heating for flow to occur.