Higher alkanes are naturally present in crude oil and can be obtained via fractional distillation.
However the higher melting points of these alkanes can cause problems at low temperatures and in polar regions, where the fuel becomes too thick to flow correctly.
Mixtures of the normal alkanes are used as boiling point standards for simulated distillation by gas chromatography.
In latter function they work at the same time as anti-corrosive agents, as their hydrophobic nature means that water cannot reach the metal surface.
Alkanes with a chain length of approximately 35 or more carbon atoms are found in bitumen (asphalt), used (for example) in road surfacing.