Bitumen

This is another name for what we call “asphalt” in the United States. It’s the very sticky component or petroleum.

It occurs naturally. Most of it is used to construction and road-making, but it can be refined to form crude oil. The “oil sands” of Alberta and North Dakota are naturally occuring bitumen

Why I Looked It Up

I can’t remember, honestly. I’ve heard the word quite often, but I don’t remember where I might have heard it lately.