What are the Basics of Upstream Oil and Gas?

In the oil and gas industry, many moving parts work together to get oil from the ground to transform it into the gas that goes into your vehicle. While all of these parts involve complex systems and lots of coordination, the basic breakdown of producing gas involves three sections: upstream, midstream and downstream production.

Of these three, upstream oil and gas production is one of the most important because it is where oil is discovered and removed from the ground. Before any extraction processes can even begin, upstream oil professionals must search for supplies in the ground, obtain the necessary licenses and permits to extract the oil and then put in place all the equipment needed to pull raw materials from the Earth. Without upstream oil and gas operations, no other parts of the process can function.

What Tools Are Used in Upstream Oil and Gas Operations?

Tools for upstream oil and gas vary, but today’s technology factors heavily into these operations. Geological surveys, various testing tools and chemistry are all involved in determining whether a site is suitable for extraction. Professionals use tools for upstream oil and gas to test the quality of resources in the ground so that operations don’t get underway just to end up failing.

Working With Environmental Regulations

Aside from tech tools, upstream oil and gas representatives also need to concern themselves with environmental regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with others requires that upstream oil and gas operations be handled in specific ways to avoid contaminating groundwater and spreading pollution. This is why virtually all oil and gas companies have upstream compliance officers whose job it is to make sure that regulations are adhered to.

Coordinating With Other Operations

Upstream oil and gas professionals must also coordinate with the other sections of the entire production operation. Once oil is pulled from the ground, midstream logistics professionals need to transport the resources to downstream refineries. All of this requires good communication and access to planning tools to ensure everyone is on the same page.

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