Describe the steps to get oil from its natural state to market (hint: there are 3 major steps necessary for this to happen).

There is a need to process the crude oil before it can be utilized or supplied in the market. The three prime kinds of processes are done to refine the oil into the finished products. These are:  

a) Separation: It is the initial step, in this the separation of molecules is done via atmospheric distillation on the basis of their molecular weight.  

b) Conversion: Many heavy molecules of hydrocarbon still remain after the process of separation, thus in order to meet the demand for lighter components, the molecules, which are heavy are cracked or dissociated into two or more lighter ones.  

c) Treating: In this, removing the substantially reducing components is done, which can cause air pollution and are corrosive mainly sulfur. The main objective of this step is to better the quality of air and to enhance the efficiency of catalytic converters that are utilized to treat exhaust gas.