Oil and gas exploration and production companies produce a variety of petrochemical products. Petrochemicals are chemical products that have petroleum or hydrocarbon origin. Petrochemical manufacturers also derive petrochemical products from coal and natural gases.

Depending on chemical compositions, petrochemical products come in different categories such as ethylene, polyethylene, ethanol, glycol, polyester, ether, acetate, propylene, olefin, butylene, benzene, cumene and other special petrochemicals. Petrochemical engineering companies also classify petrochemicals as basic petrochemicals and derived petrochemicals.

Some important parameters you must consider before you buy the petrochemical products are:

1. Application of the petrochemical products
2. Chemical composition of the petrochemical product
3. Properties of petrochemical products including viscosity, boiling point, freezing point and corrosivity
4. Required quantity of petrochemicals

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Buy petrochemicals from a reputable petrochemical manufacturer

Once you know your requirements and have enough information about petrochemicals, check out different products available in the market. Search for petrochemical manufacturers that supply a particular category of petrochemical products. For example, some manufacturers offer only aromatic compounds that are useful for fragrance and flavor manufacturers.

I recommend: Lyondell, a reputable chemical manufacturer, provides petrochemicals such as propylene, ethylene, benzene and isoprene. Shell is a global petrochemical product manufacturer that supplies basic petrochemicals. Carolina International Sales Co. supplies alcohols, amines, glycols and hydrocarbon solvents. You can also check out the products offered by Occidental Petroleum, a reputable oil and gas manufacturer. You can also buy petrochemical products at other reputable petrochemical suppliers such as Sunoco Chemicals and North American Petroleum.

Buy petrochemicals from reputable distributors or retailers

You can compare different petrochemical products based on features and prices at distributors and retailers' websites.

I recommend: Diehl Chemical is a distributor that supplies petrochemicals to manufacturers of adhesives, paints, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Ideal Chemical & Supply Company is a chemical distributor that also supplies petrochemical products. Other distributors that offer petrochemicals are Chemical Distributors and Associated Petroleum Products.

Buy specialty petrochemicals from a reputable petrochemical supplier

If standard basic petrochemicals available in the market do not meet your requirements, you can opt for specialty petrochemicals.

I recommend: South Hampton Resources, a reputable petrochemical supplier, offers specialty products such as pentane, isopentane, hexane, isohexane and cyclopentane. Advanced Aromatics is another supplier that offers high quality, petroleum-derived naphthalene products. BP is a global supplier of advanced petrochemical products such as aromatics and acetyls. Celanese can supply acetyl intermediates, emulsion polymers, specialty polymers and cellulose acetates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be careful while handling and storing petrochemical products, as almost all petrochemicals are volatile and explosive.
• •  Install proper accessories and fittings such as safety valves and leak detectors for the petrochemical products storage systems.
• •  Consult petrochemical engineers if you want to use petrochemicals for production of your chemical products.

Any chemical made from natural gas or petroleum qualifies as a petrochemical. Basic petrochemicals include crude oil, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene or toulene, organic chemicals that contain carbon or made from plant and animal matter and inorganic chemicals like ammonia and sulfur.

Basic petrochemicals produce polymers like plastic, synthetic fibers and synthetic rubbers. Polyethylene and polystyrene fall under the plastics category, while petrochemicals such as butadiene convert to rubber. Nylon and polyester are synthetic fibers that are derived from petrochemicals. In addition to plastics and synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester, petrochemicals appear in a variety of everyday products, including gasoline, fertilizer, detergents, asphalt, cosmetics and more. Petrochemical gases such as carbon dioxide, oxygen and ozone are commonly used to create paper products. Petrochemical processing is most likely to be found in such markets as food and consumer packaging, automotive, medical and industrial, to name a few. Some petrochemicals basics to consider before making a decision to buy petrochemicals and equipment:

1. Identify the basic petrochemicals that you plan to use.

2. Get petrochemical information such what equipment to use with them and how they're applied.

3. Find a reliable petrochemical supplier or manufacturer.

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Distinguish between basic petrochemicals

Learn about the basic petrochemicals that can be applied toward your projects or products.

I recommend: Find base chemicals such as butadiene, ethylene and benzene at petrochemicals suppliers such as Total Petrochemicals USA. The facility also manufactures polyethylene and polystyrene. Air Products and Chemicals offers petrochemical products such as cryogenic liquid made from hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen. Find petrochemicals basics from independent manufacturer South Hampton Resources. Petrochemicals include petroleum ether, isohexane, normal hexane and pentane.

Research petrochemical information

Do your homework on the many uses of petrochemicals, how they can be applied and what equipment to use with petrochemical products. Some related equipment include valves, tubing and containers.

I recommend: Petrochemical distributor Becker & Associates has automatic control valves, tank cleaning equipment and other petroleum handling equipment. Hoover Materials Handling Group sells bulk, chemical and petrochemical containers such as stainless steel grease bins. Search at Alpha Omega Swiss for petrochemical fittings and parts made from plastic, brass, aluminum, stainless steel or copper. Consider Frontline Industries for other petrochemical products such as seals for fluid-sealing applications.

Locate a certified petrochemical supplier or manufacturer

Buy basic petrochemicals or petrochemical products from a reputable petrochemical suppliers or petrochemical manufacturers.

I recommend: Basic Industries serves the petrochemical, refining, and pulp and paper industries. In addition, they distribute to educational facilities, and nuclear and federal agencies. Tricon Energy works with petrochemicals, plasticizers, solvents and other aromatics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to search for petrochemical products from certified manufacturers. Most petrochemicals and petrochemical products are ISO- or ASTM-certified.

Those who work in the petrochemicals industry usually have backgrounds in chemistry and math or related fields. Petrochemical manufacturers pursue career paths as scientists, petrochemical engineers, process managers and more. The tasks of petrochemical engineers and suppliers revolve around separating and converting raw materials, oils and other petroleum-based substances into polymers, plastics and synthetic fibers, all of which are eventually made into consumer products such as heat-resistant plastic containers, food packaging, athletic gear or building insulation. Petrochemical manufacturers must take the training courses available to gain an understanding of the process from material to market. On-the-job training centers and laboratories cover the fundamentals of petrochemicals products, as well as how to process base chemicals into gasoline, polypropylenes into carpets and polystyrenes into electronics, to name a few.

In addition to obtaining a college degree in chemical engineering, chemistry or a related scientific field, get petrochemicals education and training by:

1. Consulting manuals or looking for on-site training courses on the basics and fundamentals of petrochemicals.

2. Training on the different types of petrochemical products and other materials to identify which are appropriate for your applications.

3. Considering OSHA-certified schools, training centers or other information that instructs on the safe handling of petrochemical products.

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Learn all about the basics and fundamentals of petrochemicals

Entering the petrochemicals industry requires the knowledge of different types of chemicals, materials, equipment and other processes.

I recommend: View training course schedules at Honeywell's UOP Training Services. Topics cover process technology, engineering, plant economics and more. To learn about petrochemical products and other issues such as material compatibility, petrochemical manufacturer Emerson Process Management offers online learning resources and courses at its regional training centers. Get a basic career overview of petrochemical engineers' common tasks at the Schools in the USA website.

Identify different types of petrochemicals and their applications

Petrochemical engineers must determine which petrochemical products to use for various projects and applications.

I recommend: Petrochemical suppliers such as Shell Chemical feature reference literature and technical information. Petrochemical manufacturer BASF features publications and information about petrochemicals and other products. ICIS Training offers online courses in petrochemicals, including lessons on aromatics, polymers and base oils.

Find training centers that align with Occupational Safety & Health Administration standards

OSHA-certified schools and training centers can instruct on the safe handling of materials, equipment and chemicals such as petrochemicals.

I recommend: OSHA features a list of schools that provide petrochemicals education and training, as well as courses that cover chemical exposure, construction safety and ergonomics. Find videos and other information on petrochemicals and workplace safety at Emergency Film Group.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Manufacturing with a petrochemical product often requires certification to ensure quality customer service. Petrochemical engineers and manufacturers generally adhere to International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001) requirements.

Petrochemicals come from raw materials such as petroleum, natural gas and coal. Most petrochemical liquids are colorless, organic, gaseous and flammable. Manufacturers can extract these sources, and then convert them into everyday products such as pharmaceuticals, paints, fertilizers, furniture, detergents, soaps, solvents, gas, rubber and plastics. Petrochemicals have applications in automotive parts, carpeting, films, adhesives and dozens of other processes. Before choosing the petrochemicals for your needs, it’s important to learn and understand some basic petrochemicals key terms and uses.

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Aromatic hydrocarbons

The term aromatic refers to organic compounds that are identified by double bonds and a ring structure in chemistry. Aromatics produce strong odors. These petrochemical products are often found in oil refining and production.

I recommend: Wisegeek presents a straightforward guide on aromatic hydrocarbons.

Benzene

Benzene is one type of aromatic hydrocarbon that forms from natural products like coal and petroleum. It is a colorless yet powerful liquid used in the production of motor oils, detergents and pesticides.

I recommend: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration website provides general information about benzene, as well as standards for handling the chemical in the workplace.

Naphthenic

Flammable naphthenic oils are made from hydrogen and carbon. Also known as naphthalene, these oils are wax-free and are commonly used as solvents.

I recommend: Engineers Edge presents some common characteristics of naphthenic oils, such as low viscosity and good stability. Advanced Aromatics presents basic information and technical data regarding naphthalene.

Propylene

Propylene comes from raw materials that are used in other chemicals, fibers and plastic products. Propylene can also be combined with the chemical glycol to make cosmetics, animal feed, pharmaceuticals and food.

I recommend: The Dow Chemical Company features articles on propylene and propylene glycols. ExxonMobil also features resources on propylene and propylene derivatives like polypropylene, which is used in fabrics, appliances, films and packaging.

Toluene

One of the top petrochemicals, toluene is a colorless, organic solvent used in gasoline and crude oil.

I recommend: Toluene manufacturing information is located at the Sunoco Chemicals website. ICIS posts articles and reports about toluene and its prices, applications and suppliers.

Xylenes

The aromatic feedstock chemical xylene comes from natural gas and petroleum. Manufacturers use xylenes to make rubber, paints, adhesives and clothing.

I recommend: CQ Concepts includes materials safety data sheets and other information related to xylenes. Scorecard lists various uses of xylenes and xylene derivatives.