👉 The production fluid, also known as the crude oil or natural gas liquid (NGL) in some contexts, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons extracted from underground reservoirs during oil and gas production. This fluid comprises various components including water, hydrocarbons (such as methane, ethane, propane, and heavier fractions like butane and pentane), and non-hydrocarbon elements like sulfur compounds, nitrogen, and metals. The composition of the production fluid can vary significantly based on the geological formation and the extraction process, but its primary purpose is to serve as the raw material for refining into more valuable products like gasoline, diesel, and petrochemicals. During processing, the fluid undergoes separation and purification to isolate these valuable hydrocarbons, which are then further refined to meet specific market demands.
