From: gl4317@yahoo.com   
      
   In article <9e7cv.1731191$Tw2.1227651@fx15.iad>,   
    Sancho Panza  wrote:   
      
   > Is North Slope crude "pre-refined"?   
      
      
   No. Typically they separate out and burn off the volatile stuff in huge   
   gas flares.  These are the stereotypical huge flames you see coming out   
   of oil wells from time to time. With the value of the flammables as   
   fuels they may have now come up with a way to transport that to market   
   as well.   
      
   The vapor pressures of these volatiles are so different than the rest of   
   the crude it isn't really that difficult to separate them, and run the   
   volatiles to a flare.   
      
   In places like North Dakota it shouldn't really be that difficult to   
   bottle the stuff rather than burning it.  Or, burn it in a gas turbine   
   and generate electricity with it and send it through the local power   
   line.   
      
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