Oil

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-019436",
  "term": "Oil",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Oil, a liquid fossil fuel, is formed from layers of buried plants and animals that have been subjected to geologic heat and pressure over a long period of time. The energy that the plants and animals originally obtained from the sun is stored in the oil in the form of carbon. In addition to carbon, oil contains elements such as nitrogen, sulfur, mercury, lead, and arsenic. Oil is a nonrenewable resource because it cannot be replenished on a human time frame.\n\n2. Defined under several statutes including the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA). As a result, overlapping regulatory interpretations exist. For this reason, the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard are currently developing a nationally consistent program policy and methodology for facilities to determine whether a given substance is considered an oil under the existing CWA.Under the CWA, the definition of oil includes oil of any kind and any form, such as petroleum and nonpetroleum oils. Generally, oils fall into the following categories: crude oil and refined petroleum products, edible animal and vegetable oil, other oils of animal or vegetable origin, and other nonpetroleum oils. Many substances are easily recognizable as oils (e.g., gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, and crude oil). Under the CWA definition, many other substances are considered oils that may not be easily recognizable by industry, including mineral oil, the oils of vegetable and animal origin and other nonpetroleum oils. Therefore, facilities should work closely with the EPA and USCG (if applicable) to make determinations for the substances they store, transfer, and refine.\n\n3. A dark-colored liquid fossil fuel found underground. Raw (crude) oil can be refined to produce a variety of different products, such as gasoline, diesel, home heating fuel, asphalt, and chemicals that can be used to make paint, plastics, and many other everyday products.\n\n4. A mixture of hydrocarbons usually existing in the liquid state in natural underground pools or reservoirs. Gas is often found in association with oil.\n\n5. Oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil.\n\n6. Crude oil or petroleum or a liquid fuel derived from crude oil or petroleum, including distillate and residual oil.[40 CFR 60.41b (CFR 2013)]\n\n7. Components of a waste water amenable to measurement by the technique or techniques described in the most recent addition of “Standard Methods” for the analysis of grease in polluted waters, waste waters, and effluents, such as “Standard Methods,” 13th Edition, 2nd Printing, page 407. [40 CFR 426.81 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 426.111 (CFR 2013)]\n\n8. Oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil. [40 CFR 109.2 (CFR 2013)]\n\n9. As defined by section 311(a)(1) of the CWA means oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil. Oil, as defined by section 1001 of the OPA means oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil, but does not include petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, which is specifically listed or designated as a hazardous substance under subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601) and which is subject to the provisions of that Act. [40 CFR Appendix E to Part 300 (CFR 2013)]\n\n10. Crude oil or petroleum or a fuel derived from crude oil or petroleum, including distillate and residual oil, solid oil-derived fuel (e.g., petroleum coke) and gases derived from solid oil-derived fuels (not meeting the definition of natural gas).\n\n11. Hydrocarbon liquids.\n\n12. Oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to: fats, oils, or greases of animal, fish, or marine mammal origin; vegetable oils, including oils from seeds, nuts, fruits, or kernels; and, other oils and greases, including petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, synthetic oils, mineral oils, oil refuse, or oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil.",
  "subject": "Air",
  "see_also": [
    "Crude oil",
    "Petroleum"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Clean Energy Glossary",
    "Oil Pollution Prevention Glossary; Oil Pollution Prevention",
    "Student's Guide to Global Climate Change",
    "DOE Energy Information Administration Glossary",
    "DOE Glossary of Terms Related to CERCLA, EPCRA, PPA, RCRA and TSCA at http://homer.ornl.gov/sesa/environment/guidance/cercla/gloss97.pdf",
    "40 CFR 60.41c (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 426.121 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 113.3 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 300.5 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 63.10042 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 49.4163 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 112.2 (CFR 2018)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/oil/"
}