The petroleum industry includes companies involved in exploring, extracting, refining, and transporting petroleum products. It can be divided into upstream, midstream, and downstream functions, impacting various aspects of modern life beyond transportation.
The petroleum industry is a collective term used to identify many different companies that engage in activities directly related to the production of petroleum products. The companies involved in this industry operate businesses that involve the exploration of new reserves that can be used in the production of fuel oils, gasoline, and other essential petroleum-based products. The companies that manage the extraction of these resources, the refining and even the transportation of petroleum products are also considered essential components within the sector.
The various companies and functions involved in the petroleum industry are normally classified into one of three different categories, with the recognition that some companies carry on a range of activities that cross these class boundaries. One category is known as upstream functions, which include the exploration process that ultimately leads to the location of oil reserves. This particular category also includes the refining and development of crude oil or natural gas which can then be given to other companies to be used in creating a wide range of goods and services.
Midstream functions often focus on the processes used to transport oil and petroleum-based products to producers who use the products in creating different goods or services. Within this category, a common example is oil tankers used to move collected oil from one location to another. Another example is pipelines that transport oil overland. Essentially, any company involved in the transportation of oil in any form would be considered a midstream company.
Downstream functions in the petroleum industry typically focus on the effective delivery of products to end users. This would include direct delivery to retailers who would then offer petroleum-based products for sale to consumers. At the same time, companies that provide services to consumers through the refining and use of petroleum products for climate control and similar purposes would also fall into this category. It is important to note that in some countries midstream and downstream functions are often so integrated within corporate structures that all of these functions are classified as downstream, eliminating the midstream designation altogether.
The oil industry impacts every aspect of modern life. In addition to supplying fuels and lubricating compounds for private and public transportation, the industry also supplies fuel for machinery used in power generation that helps heat and cool private and public buildings. Furniture is often made from petroleum by-products. Even some forms of clothing contain fibers made from the leftovers of the oil refining process. From this perspective, the oil industry affects the lives of consumers, even if they are not actively purchasing gasoline or oil for use in private vehicles.
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