Crude oil exists in many forms and is found in places all over the world, including Canada and the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is extracted by drilling deep into the ground and extracting the liquid, and then refined into usable products. Crude oil is typically composed of alkanes and cycloalkanes, hydrocarbons and sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen. The oil is often mixed with other substances, and it can vary from light and sweet to thick and heavy. The lighter the oil, the more valuable it is because it is easier to refine.

Oil is usually found in underground reservoirs and can range in consistency and composition depending on the geological formation in which it is found. It is collected and transported via pipelines to refineries, where it is separated into different products such as motor oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It is also a key ingredient in many other products, including plastic, paint, makeup, and various medical products.

Crude oil is a major source of energy, and consequently, has a significant impact on the global economy. It is an important part of the energy mix and is traded extensively on global markets as a commodity as well as in derivatives.

As energy consumption increases, so does the demand for petroleum products. As a result, the price of crude oil fluctuates in accordance with shifts in global supply and demand. In recent years, various new technologies, including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, have enabled producers to cost-effectively extract oil from shale and other sources, thus increasing the global supply of crude oil and impacting its price.

In addition, a range of global and political events can influence the price of oil, including changes in international relationships, military conflicts and other complicated geopolitical situations. As a result, the price of crude oil is subject to volatilty and can have a significant effect on the global economy.