The crude-oil-degrading strain BAS3(T) represents a novel Nocardioides species, according to a taxonomic study. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain BAS3(T) was most similar to that of Nocardioides ganghwensis (IMSNU 14028(T); 99% similarity), but the DNA-DNA relatedness to this type strain was only 32%. The physiological properties of strain BAS3(T) differ from those of N. ganghwensis (IMSNU 14028(T)) and other species of Nocardioides. The diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain BAS3(T) is LL-diaminopimelic acid and the major menaquinone is MK-8(H(4)). The name Nocardioides oleivorans sp. nov. is proposed for the novel Nocardioides species, since its type strain, BAS3(T) (=DSM 16090(T)=NCIMB 14004(T)), is able to degrade crude oil.