ABSTRACT
In a very general sense, the use of petroleum or petroleum derivatives-isolated from areas where natural seepage occurred (Abraham, 1945; Forbes, 1958; Hoiberg, 1960; Speight, 2014a)—can be traced back over 5000 years to the times when the nonvolatile constituents (collectively called asphalt-also known by the Biblical name slime) were used as a building mastic and the lowerboiling constituents (collectively called naphtha) were used in the weapon of war known as Greek Fire, which also contained small amounts of asphalt as its sticky long-burning component. Isolation of the naphtha constituents and any treatment of the asphalt (such as hardening in the air before use) or of the oil (such as allowing for more volatile components to escape before use in lamps) may be considered to fall under the very general denition of rening-the treatment and modication of petroleum and its constituents for use. However, petroleum rening as currently practiced is a very recent science, and many innovations evolved during the 20th century.
