Overview
The broader Energy Industry is ever changing and ever growing. As such, the understanding of terms and concepts surrounding this industry needs to grow and change along with it. Find here an organic energy industry glossary of terms and concepts along with simple definitions of each.
Terms and Concepts:
Biofuels:
Fuels derived from renewable biological sources, such as ethanol, that can be blended with gasoline.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.
Catalytic Converter:
A device in a vehicle’s exhaust system that converts harmful pollutants in the exhaust gas into less harmful substances.
Cetane Number:
A measure of the ignition quality of diesel fuel, similar to the octane rating for gasoline.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG):
Natural gas that is compressed to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, making it suitable for use as a fuel in vehicles.
Crude Oil:
Unrefined petroleum as it comes out of the ground, which is the raw material for gasoline production.
Downstream:
The sector of the oil and gas industry that involves refining, distribution, and retailing of petroleum products, including gasoline.
E10, E15, E85:
Different blends of gasoline and ethanol, where the numbers represent the percentage of ethanol in the blend (e.g., E10 contains 10% ethanol).
Exploration and Production (E&P):
The processes involved in searching for and extracting natural gas and oil resources.
Flare Gas:
The burning of excess or unwanted gas at an oil or gas production facility. Often done for safety or environmental reasons.
Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing):
A method of extracting natural gas and oil from deep underground by injecting high-pressure fluid into rock formations to create fractures.
Fuel Additives:
Chemicals added to gasoline to improve performance, efficiency, or emissions.
Fuel Efficiency:
The measure of how well a vehicle converts the energy in gasoline into forward motion.
Fuel Injection:
A system in internal combustion engines that injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber.
Gas Reserves:
The estimated amount of natural gas that can be technically and economically recovered from the ground.
Gasohol:
A blend of gasoline and ethanol, often used as an alternative fuel for vehicles.
Gasoline Alternatives Research:
Scientific and technological investigations into alternative fuels, advanced combustion technologies, and propulsion systems as potential replacements for traditional gasoline.
Gasoline Alternatives:
Various fuels and technologies explored as alternatives to traditional gasoline, including electric vehicles, hydrogen, and compressed natural gas.
Gasoline Blending:
The process of combining different components to produce the desired properties in the final gasoline product.
Gasoline Certification:
Processes and requirements for certifying that gasoline products meet regulatory standards and specifications.
Gasoline Combustion:
The chemical process by which gasoline ignites and burns within an engine to produce energy for propulsion.
Gasoline Consumption Patterns:
Studying trends and variations in the usage of gasoline over time, considering factors like economic conditions, technological advancements, and cultural shifts.
Gasoline Consumption:
The amount of gasoline used by a vehicle, region, or country over a specified period.
Gasoline Crisis Response:
Emergency measures and protocols enacted in response to sudden disruptions in gasoline supply, such as natural disasters or geopolitical events.
Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI):
A fuel injection system that delivers gasoline directly into the combustion chamber of an engine.
Gasoline Emissions:
Pollutants released into the atmosphere from the combustion of gasoline in internal combustion engines, contributing to air quality concerns and climate change.
Gasoline Engine Technologies:
Advances and innovations in internal combustion engine technology designed to improve the efficiency and reduce emissions of gasoline-powered vehicles.
Gasoline Hedging:
Financial strategies used by industry participants to manage the risks associated with the volatility of gasoline prices.
Gasoline Hygiene and Safety:
Guidelines and practices to ensure the safe handling, storage, and use of gasoline to prevent accidents, fires, and health risks.
Gasoline Infrastructure Development:
Initiatives and projects aimed at expanding and modernizing the infrastructure for gasoline production, distribution, and storage.
Gasoline Long-Term Outlook:
Projections and analyses of future trends, challenges, and innovations in the gasoline industry, considering factors like technology advancements and regulatory changes.
Gasoline Marketing:
Strategies and activities involved in promoting and selling gasoline, including branding, advertising, and pricing.
Gasoline Price Fluctuations:
Factors influencing the periodic changes in the cost of gasoline, such as global oil prices, geopolitical events, and supply and demand dynamics.
Gasoline Prices:
The cost of gasoline per unit, typically measured in currency per gallon or liter.
Gasoline Quality Control:
Procedures and standards implemented by refineries and regulatory bodies to maintain the quality and consistency of gasoline.
Gasoline RON/MON:
Research Octane Number (RON) and Motor Octane Number (MON) are measures of a fuel’s resistance to knocking in an engine.
Gasoline Short-Term Price Forecasting:
Analytical methods and models used to predict short-term fluctuations in gasoline prices, considering factors such as market trends and geopolitical events.
Gasoline Shortages:
Instances where the demand for gasoline surpasses the available supply, leading to temporary shortages in specific regions.
Gasoline Smog Formation:
The role of gasoline in contributing to the formation of smog, particularly in urban areas with high traffic.
Gasoline Standards:
Regulations and specifications set by authorities to ensure the quality, safety, and environmental performance of gasoline.
Gasoline Storage Safety:
Guidelines and measures to ensure safe handling, storage, and transportation of gasoline to prevent accidents and spills.
Gasoline Storage Tanks:
Containers used to store and distribute gasoline at refineries, distribution points, and gas stations.
Gasoline Subsidies:
Financial support provided by governments to reduce the cost of gasoline for consumers, often aimed at stabilizing prices or supporting specific industries.
Gasoline Substitutes:
Potential alternatives to gasoline, including electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, and other sustainable transportation solutions.
Gasoline Sulfur Content:
The amount of sulfur present in gasoline, with lower sulfur content contributing to reduced emissions and improved air quality.
Gasoline Supply Chain:
The network of processes and infrastructure involved in the production, transportation, and distribution of gasoline from refineries to end-users.
Gasoline Tax Allocation:
The distribution and utilization of funds generated from gasoline taxes for specific purposes, such as road maintenance and infrastructure projects.
Gasoline Tax Credits:
Incentives or deductions provided by governments to consumers or businesses as a way to mitigate the impact of gasoline taxes.
Gasoline Tax Evasion:
Illegal practices aimed at avoiding or evading gasoline taxes, potentially leading to revenue loss for governments.
Gasoline Taxes:
Taxes imposed on the sale of gasoline by governments to fund transportation infrastructure and services.
Gasoline Trade:
The global buying and selling of gasoline, influenced by factors such as geopolitical events, supply and demand dynamics, and trade agreements.
Gasoline Transportation Safety Standards:
Regulations and guidelines ensuring the safe transport of gasoline via pipelines, tankers, and other means to prevent accidents and spills.
Gasoline Transportation:
The movement of gasoline from refineries to distribution points and ultimately to gas stations, involving pipelines, tankers, and truck transport.
Gasoline Vapour Pressure:
The pressure exerted by the vapors of gasoline at a given temperature, influencing its volatility and combustion characteristics.
Gasoline Volatility:
The tendency of gasoline to vaporize, influencing engine performance, emissions, and cold-start behavior.
Gasoline-Addicted Economies:
Economies heavily dependent on gasoline consumption, with potential challenges related to energy security, environmental impact, and economic stability.
Gasoline-Blended Fuels:
Fuels created by blending gasoline with other components or additives to achieve specific performance or environmental goals.
Gasoline-Dependent Industries:
Industries reliant on gasoline as a primary energy source, such as transportation, and their vulnerability to fluctuations in gasoline prices and availability.
Gasoline:
A refined petroleum product used as fuel for internal combustion engines in vehicles.
Hazardous Area Classification:
The classification of areas where the presence of flammable gases or vapors creates a risk of fire or explosion, influencing the design and installation of electrical equipment.
Hydrocarbon:
A compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Natural gas is a hydrocarbon.
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas):
A flammable hydrocarbon gas mixture, primarily composed of propane and butane, used as fuel in heating appliances, cooking equipment, and vehicles.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):
Natural gas that has been cooled to the point of liquefaction for ease of storage and transportation.
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether):
A fuel oxygenate that was once added to gasoline to improve octane levels, now largely phased out due to environmental concerns.
Metering Station:
A facility that measures and monitors the flow of gas through pipelines.
National Grid:
A network of gas pipelines and infrastructure that spans an entire country, facilitating the transportation and distribution of natural gas.
Natural Gas:
A hydrocarbon gas mixture primarily composed of methane, occurring naturally in underground deposits.
Octane Rating:
A measure of the anti-knock properties of gasoline, indicating its resistance to engine knocking or pinging.
Pipeline Transportation:
The movement of gases through pipelines from production facilities to distribution points.
Refinery:
A facility that processes crude oil to produce various petroleum products, including gasoline.
Reformulated Gasoline (RFG):
Gasoline that has undergone chemical changes to meet environmental regulations and reduce emissions.
Regasification:
The process of converting liquefied natural gas (LNG) back into its gaseous state.
Regulator Station:
A facility that controls the pressure of gas in pipelines to ensure safe and efficient transportation.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs):
Tradable certificates that represent the environmental attributes of electricity generated from renewable sources, including renewable gas.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG):
Biomethane produced from organic materials, such as agricultural waste or wastewater, used as a sustainable alternative to traditional natural gas.
Shale Gas:
Natural gas that is trapped within shale formations, often extracted through hydraulic fracturing.
Upstream, Midstream, Downstream:
Three main sectors of the oil and gas industry. Upstream involves exploration and production, midstream involves transportation and storage, and downstream involves refining and distribution.
Vapor Recovery System:
A system that captures and recycles gasoline vapors to reduce emissions during refueling.