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  Synthetic oil is oil consisting of chemical compounds which were not originally present in crude oil (petroleum) but were artificially made (synthesized) from other compounds. Synthetic oil could be made to be a substitute for petroleum or specially made to be a substitute for a lubricant oil such as conventional (or mineral) motor oil refined from petroleum. When a synthetic oil is made as a substitute for petroleum, it is generally produced because of a shortage of petroleum or because petroleum is too expensive. When synthetic oil is made as a substitute for lubricant refined from petroleum, it is generally because of superior properties of the synthetic oil. Synthetic motor oil is often synthesized from reactants (feed stocks) derived from petroleum, but the compounds in the synthetic motor oil have different molecular structures from those originally in petroleum.
  The majority of oil lubricants, including many motor oils, are mineral oils, mixtures of refined fractions of crude oil. However, synthetic motor oils also have a share in the market.
Synthetic motor oils are fuel efficient, extended life lubricants manufactured from select base stocks and special purpose additives. Synthetic oil base stocks are made from organic compounds or synthetic hydrocarbons using a process that re-arranges the structure so all the molecules are uniform in size, shape and weight, a phenomenon that does not occur in nature. In contrast to petroleum oils which are pumped from the earth and refined, synthetics are custom-designed to produce, in effect, the ideal lubricant.
Most synthetic motor oils are fabricated by polymerizing short chain hydrocarbon molecules called alpha-olefins into longer chain highly-branched hydrocarbon polymers called polyalpha-olefins (PAOs for short). Their lubrication characteristics can be adjusted by controlling the spectrum of molecular weights that go into the finished formulation, which usually also includes thickeners.
  The industry recognizes the following benefits for synthetic motor oils:
Improved viscosity at low temperatures. Mineral oils tend to include wax impurities which coagulate at lower temperatures. A typical 10W-30 oil remains liquid at -50 °C (-58 °F)
Better high temperature performance. Synthetic oils have few low molecular weight hydrocarbons which evaporate at high temperatures.
Higher purity
Decreased oil consumption
Reduced friction and engine wear
Improved fuel consumption through better engine lubrication
Resistance to oil sludge problems
  Crude oil doesn't have to be used for the production of the lubricants
Some synthetic motor oil producers offer extended intervals between oil changes (extended drain intervals)
Reduction of environmental impact (due to lower oil consumption)
Conventional oils come from crude oil that is pumped from the ground. Crude oil is made up of a complex mixture of molecules that form chains and rings of different sizes and shapes. Long chains of carbon atoms produce a thick, viscous fluid that flows slowly. Shorter chains produce fluid that flows more readily.
In an oil refinery, crude oil is separated into various fractions. These become the basis for lubricating oils and fuels. Thick tangled masses of carbon chains become asphaltic materials used in roofing tar and road work. Very short chains and ring compounds of carbon are volatile and can be refined to produce gasoline and other products.
While petroleum refining is an advanced science, small amounts of contaminants, such as sulfur and reactive hydrocarbons, cannot be completely removed from petroleum, and may end up in motor oil base stocks.
All motor oils are made up of base oils and additives. In general, fully synthetic motor oils contain non-conventional, high-performance fluids. Synthetic blends usually use some non-conventional, high-performance fluids in combination with conventional oil.