What is the difference between upstream downstream and midstream?
'Upstream' is about extracting oil and natural gas from the ground; 'midstream' is about safely moving them thousands of miles; and 'downstream' is converting these resources into the fuels and finished products we all depend on.
Upstream refers to exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream is the transportation and storage of crude oil and natural gas, downstream refers to the conversion of crude oil and natural gas into thousands of finished products.
In between the upstream and downstream operations, midstream activities are made up of the storage, processing, and transportation of petroleum products.
Oil and gas sector comprise three main activities - upstream (exploration and production), midstream (transportation and processing1) and downstream (distribution and sale to end users/consumers).
Definition of midstream
1 : the middle of a stream. 2 : an intermediate stage in an act or process the tone changes in midstream.
Midstream is the “middle” part of the natural gas value chain. Our industry is generally split into three categories of operation: upstream, midstream and downstream.
Definition of upstream
1 : in the direction opposite to the flow of a stream. 2 : in or to a position within the production stream closer to manufacturing processes make most of its money upstream, selling cheap crude … to refineries— John Quirt.
The upstream of the river is defined as the upper portion of the river where it is started, then the medium portion will be the middle portion of the river, and finally the downstream of one river will be the lower portion where it is moving into the sea or ocean or of a bigger river.
Upstream activities include exploration, drilling, and extraction. Upstream is followed by midstream (transportation of crude oil) and downstream (refining and distribution) phases. Today many large oil companies are integrated, in that they maintain upstream, midstream, and downstream units.
It's not unusual to hear people involved in production make frequent reference to "upstream" and "downstream" parts of the process. Upstream refers to the material inputs needed for production, while downstream is the opposite end, where products get produced and distributed.
What is upstream process and downstream process?
Upstream & Downstream Processing. The production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) of biopharmaceuticals typically starts with generation of the API via living cells known as the upstream process, followed by purification of the target API, or the downstream process.
What Is Midstream? Midstream is a term used to describe one of the three major stages of oil and gas industry operations. Midstream activities include the processing, storing, transporting and marketing of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

There are three types of base oils: mineral, vegetable, and synthetic. Mineral oil comes from crude oil and the quality depends on the refining process. Lubes made from vegetable oils are called biolubricants. Synthetic oils are man-made fluids and can be beneficial for use in extreme conditions.
Hydrocarbon (Organic) Gases
C1 = methane; C2 = ethane; C3 = propane; C4 = butane.
Heavy, light, synthetic – each type of crude oil serves a particular market, and each fetches a different price. Heavy oil. Light oil.
conveyance | transport |
---|---|
haulage | carrying |
carriage | transit |
passage | freightage |
transference | portage |
The midstream sector covers transportation, storage, and trading of crude oil, natural gas, and refined products. In its unrefined state, crude oil is transported by two primary modes: tankers, which travel interregional water routes, and pipelines, which most of the oil moves through for at least part of the route.
midstream | Intermediate English
midstream. noun [ U ] /ˈmɪdˈstrim/ the middle of a river where the water flows fastest, or fig.
A midstream urine sample provides a better specimen for analysis than first urine passed. While collecting the sample, it is important not to contaminate it or the container.
Midstream is located in South Africa (Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng) and time zone Africa/Johannesburg. Places nearby are Centurion, Tembisa and Midrand.
What is midstream value chain?
The midstream is the part of the petroleum value chain focused on transportation of crude oil and refined products. It is usually defined to include: Movement of crude, NGLs, and product by pipeline, tanker truck, barge, tanker, and rail. Storage of crude and product outside of refineries.
Upstream Processing – what is that? Upstream processing comprises tasks in the initial stages of the fermentation process in biotechnology. This includes all steps related to the development of microorganisms, nutrient preparation, cell culture, cell separation and harvesting.
The word downstream (which is one word instead of being two words; down stream) mainly means the direction that the water in a river flows. Downhill, towards the sea, or nearer to the mouth of the stream (where the river ends). It can also be known as downriver.
upstream. /ˈʌpˈstriːm/ adverb. Britannica Dictionary definition of UPSTREAM. : in the direction opposite to the flow in a stream, river, etc. : toward the source of a stream, river, etc.
- Upstream = (u−v) km/hr, where “u” is the speed of the boat in still water and “v” is the speed of the stream.
- Downstream = (u+v)Km/hr, where “u” is the speed of the boat in still water and “v” is the speed of the stream.
- Speed of Boat in Still Water = ½ (Downstream Speed + Upstream Speed)