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Extra Heavy Crude

Extra heavy crude is a type of crude oil characterized by its high density and viscosity.  It is often described as a thick, black, and gooey substance that does not flow easily under normal conditions.  The key defining characteristic of extra heavy crude is its low API gravity, which is a measure of how light or heavy a petroleum liquid is compared to water.While heavy crude oil is generally defined as having an API gravity less than \(20^{\circ}\), extra heavy crude has an even lower API gravity, typically below .  This means it is denser than water.  This high density and resistance to flow make it more challenging and expensive to produce, transport, and refine compared to lighter crude oils.  Extra heavy crude is closely related to natural bitumen, which is an even more dense and viscous form of petroleum found in oil sands.

Extra heavy crude typically requires extensive upgrading or dilution (with lighter hydrocarbons) before it can be transported or refined.

Extra Heavy Crude is Primarily Composed of the Following Elements
High Molecular Weight Hydrocarbons (primary components)  -  long-chain alkanes (paraffins), cycloalkanes (naphthenes), aromatic hydrocarbons , resins and asphaltenes (high molecular weight, complex molecules)
Asphaltenes  -  complex, heavy molecules with high molecular weight and aromaticity
Resins  -  polar, heavy organic compounds that stabilize asphaltenes
Sulfur compounds  -  hydrogen sulfide, thiophenes, mercaptans, sulfides and disulfides
Nitrogen Compounds  -  pyridines, quinolines, other nitrogen heterocycles
Oxygen Compounds  -  phenols, carboxylic acids, ketones
Metals (usually in trace amounts)  -  nickel, vanadium, iron, copper
Inorganic Impurities  -  salts (e.g., sodium chloride), water, sediments and solids
High Density and Viscosity  -  API gravity typically less than \(20^{\circ}\), requires heating or diluents for transport
Water and Salts  -  often emulsified and harder to separate
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