Upstream (petroleum industry)The oil and gas industry is usually divided into three major sectors: upstream (or exploration and production - E&P), midstream and downstream. The upstream sector includes searching for potential underground or underwater crude oil and natural gas fields, drilling exploratory wells, and subsequently operating the wells that recover and bring the crude oil or raw natural gas to the surface. The upstream industry has traditionally experienced the highest number of Mergers, Acquisitions (M&A) and Divestitures.
Petroleum reservoirA petroleum reservoir or oil and gas reservoir is a subsurface accumulation of hydrocarbons contained in porous or fractured rock formations. Such reservoirs form when kerogen (ancient plant matter) is created in surrounding rock by the presence of high heat and pressure in the Earth's crust. Petroleum reservoirs are broadly classified as conventional and unconventional reservoirs.
Oil production plantAn oil production plant is a facility which processes production fluids from oil wells in order to separate out key components and prepare them for export. Typical oil well production fluids are a mixture of oil, gas and produced water. An oil production plant is distinct from an oil depot, which does not have processing facilities. Oil production plant may be associated with onshore or offshore oil fields. Many permanent offshore installations have full oil production facilities.
Intégration verticaleEn microéconomie et en stratégie d'entreprise, l'expression « intégration verticale » décrit un mode de propriété et de contrôle regroupant sous une seule autorité les divers stades de production et distribution concernant un type de biens ou services donnés aux différentes étapes de l'ensemble de la chaîne de valeur. D'une manière plus simple, l'intégration verticale consiste, pour une entreprise, à intégrer dans sa propre activité celle de l'un de ses fournisseurs, ou de l'un de ses clients.
Submarine pipelineA submarine pipeline (also known as marine, subsea or offshore pipeline) is a pipeline that is laid on the seabed or below it inside a trench. In some cases, the pipeline is mostly on-land but in places it crosses water expanses, such as small seas, straits and rivers. Submarine pipelines are used primarily to carry oil or gas, but transportation of water is also important. A distinction is sometimes made between a flowline and a pipeline.
