The
petroleum industry includes the global processes of
exploration,
extraction,
refining, transporting (often by
oil tankers and
pipelines), and marketing
petroleum products. The largest volume products of the industry are
fuel oil and
gasoline (petrol). Petroleum (oil) is also the raw material for many
chemical products, including
pharmaceuticals,
solvents,
fertilizers,
pesticides, and
plastics. The industry is usually divided into three major components:
upstream,
midstream and
downstream. Midstream operations are usually included in the downstream category.