Downstream

"Downstream" is a relative term (the opposite of "Upstream") in oil industry operations. For instance, a refinery is "downstream" of a crude oil production unit, and a petrochemical plant usually downstream of a refinery. The term has also come to mean all operations occurring after the delivery or lifting of a saleable quality crude oil or gas from the production unit or associated delivery terminal. A "Downstream Company" has no production of its own.