Oil 101 Hardcover – Illustrated, 1 Jan. 2009

I was very pleased with my purchase of this book. I wanted to learn more about where oil comes from, how it is processed and how a price is achieved. It thoroughly covered these things. I learned many new facts about oil (too numerous to go into). I do have a background in geology and chemistry though have not worked in these areas. This background knowledge was of enormous help in reading the book. However if you have no science background yet are determined to find out more about oil then don't be discouraged. Merely skip to the areas you are most interested in or use the book as an opportunity to learn a little organic chemistry (you won't need much beyond the basics of organic chemistry -easy- to understand what is being said). To finish, if you are interested in how the entire oil industry operates this book will educate you in a no nonsense factual way. Don't continue to make do with the dross written in the press about what is making oil prices move. Stop listening to people go on about the oil industry and prices as if they knew what they were on about. Be an educated voice that calmly and sensibly informs.ChaptersA brief history of oil, A crude assay, components of oil liquids, chemistry of oil, industry overview, exploration and production, refining, standards, finished products, petrochemicals, transporting oil, storage, seasonality, reserves, environmental regulations, new engine technologies (brief), Oil prices, forward oil markets -futures and swaps, forward oil markets - options, managing oil price risk.

An excellent guide to the oil industry.I work in the corporate side of the industry and wanted to obtain a better understanding of some of the engineering and chemical elements to it. This book eloquently and succinctly outlines such facets of the industry in a manner that is easy for the relative lay reader to understand.It also provides a good historical narrative of the industry and gives insight into how the economics and pricing of oil works.I was also surpised at how reading this book does not feel like a factual chore. It's genuinely interesting and I have been able to apply some of the knowledge that I've obtained from it directly to my work.Highly recommended to anyone in the industry, studying or just interested in oil.

As an engineer, with good background knowledge of chemistry etc, I found that this book was a perfect introduction to a more in-depth understanding of the industry. Despite not being about the sexiest subject, I found it engaging and readable. My eyes glazed over a little bit towards the end, when it went into futures trading etc, but this is probably more down to this not being my area of interest, rather than a failing of the book. I would certainly recommend this book to a student or an engineer moving into the field (as I am).

Oil 101 is an introductory textbook about the oil industry for the technical graduate who has done some A level or college level organic chemistry, so is at home with the names of common organic chemicals, eg. alkanes, ethers etc. Chapters 2 to 4 is an introduction to crude oil assays, and the chemical components comprising crude oil. Chapter 5 lists the world's major oil companies. Chapters 6 to 9 is an introduction to Petroleum Engineering including petroleum refining. Chapter 10 , Petrochemicals. Chapters 11to 13, Transportation and Storage. Chapters 15 & 16, Environmental stuff, emissions & improved car engines etc. Chapters 17 to 19 , Oil prices and the commodities markets; lots of oil trading technical terms are defined here.So in summary the ideal reader for Oil 101 has a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Petroleum Engineering, plus a Master's in Banking and Finance, for the oil trading material towards the end of the book. That will save the reader from having to get to grips with technical terms the reader will have met before when completing their degree.

In basic terms, the life cycle of oil is that you dig a hole, find crude, boil it and get products. This book takes you to the next level and way beyond, starting out with the industry itself and how it developed (as a way of replacing whale oil for lighting), through to exploration and refining and a great, kitchen-sink chapter on product types, which is incredible in its detail. Great use of diagrams and tables add to the narrative, the style is informative. There is a bit of repetition between chapters but this only emphasises the points being made and the information being given.I've been in an oil company for a number of years and found the book enlightening, interesting and absolutely vital to anyone with even a passing interest in the industry, either Oil or Gas (which is also covered).The data is bang up to date, encompassing biofuels and the latest developments.I can't recommend this enough, it is a bargain at the RRP.

Oil trading fascinates many people, and they long to get into it. However, it is one of those catch-22 situations, you can't get a foot in without experience, and yet you can't get experience without being in the business. Again, many people delude themselves into thinking they can get into it, without knowing so much about it, a fatal assumption in most cases.This book gives a well-rounded picture of the product, the industry, its history and how to trade the product. It is the most comprehensive intro in this secretive industry I have ever read. If you want to get into physical oil and refined products trading, this book will be an invaluable companion. It may also help those in paper trading (futures, etc) to get a better understanding of the underlying physical product.

This is a very detailed and useful book for anyone looking to understand the oil markets

As i wasn't very familiar with the business of oil, this book really opened my eyes and answered a lot of my questions. The whole process of the industry is amazing and this book explains it very well step by step, It goes through the chemistry, mechanics and business.