Structure of Petroleum

The structure of petroleum has been a topic of some interest for at least five decades, ever

since the first theory of petroleum structure was published (Pfeiffer and Saal, 1940). And, the

structure of petroleum has become a much more important issue with the increased use of the

heavier crude oils. Studies of petroleum structure present indications of the interactions and

interrelationships of the constituents. In fact, the implications of petroleum structure as it

relates to recovery operations and to refinery operations has become of importance.