|  Definitions, Sources and Explanatory Notes |
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|  Category:   | Petroleum Refining & Processing                             |
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|  Topic:      | Downstream Charge Capacity of Operable Petroleum Refineries |
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|   Definitions |  |
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| Key Terms                                            | Definition                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
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| Atmospheric Crude Oil Distillation Capacity          | The refining process of separating crude oil components at atmospheric pressure by heating to temperatures of about 600o to 750o F (depending on the nature of the crude oil and desired products) and subsequent condensing of the fractions by cooling.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Barrel                                               | A unit of volume equal to 42 U.S. gallons.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Barrels Per Calendar Day                             | The amount of input that a distillation facility can process under usual operating conditions.  The amount is expressed in terms of capacity during a 24-hour period and reduces the maximum processing capability of all units at the facility under continuous operation (see Barrels per Stream Day) to account for the following limitations that may delay, interrupt, or slow down production:  the capability of downstream facilities to absorb the output of crude oil processing   facilities of a given refinery. No reduction is made when a planned distribution of   intermediate streams through other than downstream facilities is part of a refinery's normal operation;
the types and grades of inputs to be processed;
the environmental constraints associated with refinery operations;
the reduction of capacity for scheduled downtime due to such conditions as routine   inspection, maintenance, repairs, and turnaround; and
the reduction of capacity for unscheduled downtime due to such conditions as   mechanical problems, repairs, and slowdowns.                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Barrels Per Stream Day                               | The maximum number of barrels of input that a distillation facility can process within a 24-hour period when running at full capacity under optimal crude and product slate conditions with no allowance for downtime.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Catalytic Cracking                                   | The refining process of breaking down the larger, heavier, and more complex hydrocarbon molecules into simpler and lighter molecules. Catalytic cracking is accomplished by the use of a catalytic agent and is an effective process for increasing the yield of gasoline from crude oil. Catalytic cracking processes fresh feeds and recycled feeds.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| Catalytic Cracking - Fresh Feeds                     | Crude oil or petroleum distillates which are being fed to processing units for the first time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Catalytic Cracking - Recycled Feeds                  | Feeds that are continuously fed back for additional processing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Catalytic Hydro-Cracking                             | A refining process that uses hydrogen and catalysts with relatively low temperatures and high pressures for converting middle boiling or residual material to high-octane gasoline, reformer charge stock, jet fuel, and/or high grade fuel oil. The process uses one or more catalysts, depending upon product output, and can handle high sulfur feedstocks without prior desulfurization.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Catalytic Hydrotreating                              | A refining process for treating petroleum fractions from atmospheric orvacuum distillation units (e.g., naphthas, middle distillates, reformerfeeds, residual fuel oil, and heavy gas oil) and other petroleum (e.g., cat cracked naphtha, coker naphtha, gas oil, etc.) in the presence ofcatalysts and substantial quantities of hydrogen. Hydrotreating includesdesulfurization, removal of substances (e.g., nitrogen compounds) thatdeactivate catalysts, conversion of olefins to paraffins to reduce gumformation in gasoline, and other processes to upgrade the quality of thefractions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| Catalytic Reforming                                  | A refining process using controlled heat and pressure with catalysts torearrange certain hydrocarbon molecules, thereby converting paraffinic andnaphthenic type hydrocarbons (e.g., low-octane gasoline boiling rangefractions) into petrochemical feedstocks and higher octane stockssuitable for blending into finished gasoline. Catalytic reforming isreported in two categories:Low Pressure. A processing unit operating at less than 225 poundsper square inch gauge (PSIG) measured at the outlet separator.
High Pressure. A processing unit operating at either equal or greaterthan 225 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG) measured at the outletseparator.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| Charge Capacity                                      | The input (feed) capacity of the refinery processing facilities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Crude Oil                                            | A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in liquid phase in natural underground reservoirs and remains liquid at atmospheric pressure after passing through surface separating facilities. Depending upon the characteristics of the crude stream, it may also include: Small amounts of hydrocarbons that exist in gaseous phase in natural underground reservoirs but are liquid at atmospheric pressure after being recovered from oil well (casinghead) gas in lease separators and are subsequently commingled with the crude stream without being separately measured. Lease condensate recovered as a liquid from natural gas wells in lease or field separation facilities and later mixed into the crude stream is also included;  
Small amounts of nonhydrocarbons produced with the oil, such as sulfur and various metals;
Drip gases, and liquid hydrocarbons produced from tar sands, oil sands, gilsonite, and oil shale.
Liquids produced at natural gas processing plants are excluded. Crude oil is refined to produce a wide array of petroleum products, including heating oils; gasoline, diesel and jet fuels; lubricants; asphalt; ethane, propane, and butane; and many other products used for their energy or chemical content. |
| Delayed Coking                                       | A process by which heavier crude oil fractions can be thermally decomposed under conditions of elevated temperatures and pressure to produce a mixture of lighter oils and petroleum coke. The light oils can be processed further in other refinery units to meet product specifications. The coke can be used either as a fuel or in other applications such as the manufacturing of steel or aluminum.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Desulfurization                                      | The removal of sulfur, as from molten metals, petroleum oil, or flue gases.Petroleum desulfurization is a process that removes sulfur and its compoundsfrom various streams during the refining process. Desulfurization processesinclude catalytic hydrotreating and other chemical/physical processes suchas absorption. Desulfurization processes vary based on the type of streamtreated (e.g. naphtha, distillate, heavy gas oil, etc.) and the amount ofsulfur removed (e.g. sulfur reduction to 10 ppm).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Distillate Fuel Oil                                  | A general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation operations.  It includes diesel fuels and fuel oils.  Products known as No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 diesel fuel are used in on-highway diesel engines, such as those in trucks and automobiles, as well as off-highway engines, such as those in railroad locomotives and agricultural machinery. Products known as No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 fuel oils are used primarily for space heating and electric power generation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Finished Gasoline                                    | A complex mixture of relatively volatile hydrocarbons with or without small quantities of additives, blended to form a fuel suitable for use in spark-ignition engines. Motor gasoline, as defined in ASTM Specification D 4814 or Federal Specification VV-G-1690C, is characterized as having a boiling range of 122 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit at the 10 percent recovery point to 365 to 374 degrees Fahrenheit at the 90 percent recovery point. Motor Gasoline includes conventional gasoline; all types of oxygenated gasoline, including gasohol; and reformulated gasoline, but excludes aviation gasoline. Note: Volumetric data on blending components, such as oxygenates, are not counted in data on finished motor gasoline until the blending components are blended into the gasoline.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Fluid Coking                                         | A thermal cracking process utilizing the fluidized-solids technique to remove carbon (coke) for continuous conversion of heavy, low-grade oils into lighter products.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Fuels Solvent Deasphalting                           | A refining process for removing asphalt compounds from petroleum fractions,such as reduced crude oil. The recovered stream from this process is usedto produce fuel products.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Gas Oil                                              | A liquid petroleum distillate having a viscosity intermediatebetween that of kerosene and lubricating oil. It derives its name fromhaving originally been used in the manufacture of illuminating gas.  It isnow used to produce distillate fuel oils and gasoline.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Heavy Gas Oil                                        | Petroleum distillates with an approximate boiling range from 651o F to 1000o F.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Kerosene                                             | A light petroleum distillate that is used in space heaters, cook stoves, and water heaters and is suitable for use as a light source when burned in wick-fed lamps. Kerosene has a maximum distillation temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit at the 10-percent recovery point, a final boiling point of 572 degrees Fahrenheit, and a minimum flash point of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Included are No. 1-K and No. 2-K, the two grades recognized by ASTM Specification D 3699 as well as all other grades of kerosene called range or stove oil, which have properties similar to those of No. 1 fuel oil. See Kerosene-Type Jet Fuel.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Kerosene-Type Jet Fuel                               | A kerosene-based product having a maximum distillation temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit at the 10-percent recovery point and a final maximum boiling point of 572 degrees Fahrenheit and meeting ASTM Specification D 1655 and Military Specifications MIL-T-5624P and MIL-T-83133D(Grades JP-5 and JP-8). It is used for commercial and military turbojet and turboprop aircraft engines.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Naphtha                                              | A generic term applied to a petroleum fraction with an approximate boiling range between 122o and 400o F.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| No. 2 Diesel Fuel                                    | A distillate fuel oil that has a distillation temperature of 640 degreesFahrenheit at the 90-percent recovery point and meets the specificationsdefined in ASTM Specification D 975. It is used in high-speed dieselengines that are generally operated under uniform speed and load conditions,such as those in railroad locomotives, trucks, and automobiles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Operable Capacity                                    | The amount of capacity that, at the beginning of the period, is in operation; not in operation and not under active repair, but capable of being placed in operation within 30 days; or not in operation but under active repair that can be completed within 90 days. Operable capacity is the sum of the operating and idle capacity and is measured in barrels per calendar day or barrels per stream day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Petroleum Administration for Defense (PAD) Districts | Geographic aggregations of the 50 States and the District of Columbia into five districts by the Petroleum Administration for Defense in 1950. These districts were originally defined during World War II for purposes of administering oil allocation. Description and maps of PAD Districts and Refining Districts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Refinery                                             | An installation that manufactures finished petroleum products from crude oil, unfinished oils, natural gas liquids, other hydrocarbons, and oxygenates.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Residual Fuel Oil                                    | A general classification for the heavier oils, known as No. 5 and No. 6 fuel oils, that remain after the distillate fuel oils and lighter hydrocarbons are distilled away in refinery operations. It conforms to ASTM Specifications D396 and D975 and Federal Specification VV-F-815C. No. 5, a residual fuel oil of medium viscosity, is also known as Navy Special and is defined in Military Specification MIL-F-859E, including Amendment 2 (NATO Symbol F-770). It is used in steam-powered vessels in government service and inshore powerplants. No. 6 fuel oil includes Bunker C fuel oil and is used for the production of electric power, space heating, vessel bunkering, and various industrial purposes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Thermal Cracking                                     | A refining process in which heat and pressure are used to break down,rearrange, or combine hydrocarbon molecules. Thermal cracking includesgas oil, visbreaking, fluid coking, delayed coking, and other thermalcracking processes (e.g., flexicoking).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Vacuum Distillation                                  | Distillation under reduced pressure (less the atmospheric) which lowersthe boiling temperature of the liquid being distilled. This techniquewith its relatively low temperatures prevents cracking or decompositionof the charge stock.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Visbreaking                                          | A thermal cracking process in which heavy atmospheric or vacuum-stillbottoms are cracked at moderate temperatures to increase productionof distillate products and reduce viscosity of the distillation residues.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
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| For definitions of related energy terms, refer to the   EIA Energy Glossary. |
|  	Sources |
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|  | Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-820,"Annual Refinery Report".
EIA Forms & Instructions
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Background, Survey Methodology and Statistical Details
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|  	Explanatory Notes |
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|  | The large increase in idle capacity as of 1/1/2006 compared to the prior year  is due primarily to the continuing impact from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that  kept BP-Texas City (437,000 bbls/cd), ConocoPhillips-Alliance (247,000 bbls/cd),  and Murphy-Meraux (120,000 bbls/cd) idle.  
   The EIA-820 refinery capacity survey was not conducted for January 1, 1996 or    January 1, 1998. |
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