Upstream and downstream operations

Upstream operations involve the exploration and extraction of raw materials like oil, gas, or minerals from the Earth. This includes locating reservoirs, drilling wells, and extracting the resources. Downstream operations focus on refining, processing, and manufacturing these raw materials into finished products, such as gasoline, plastics, or chemicals, and distributing them to consumers. Essentially, upstream is about getting the raw materials out of the ground, while downstream is about turning those materials into usable products and delivering them to the market. Both stages are vital parts of the supply chain in resource-based industries.