Upstream, or exploration and production (E&P) companies, find reservoirs and drill oil and gas wells. Midstream companies are responsible for transportation from the wells to refineries and downstream companies are responsible for refining and the sale of the finished products.

If you are planning to embark on a career in the oil and gas industry, or the wider energy sector, this industry offers a number of enticing benefits. Salaries for this sector are typically higher than average, and this is due to several factors, such as the educational background required.

Natural gas (also called fossil gas; sometimes just gas) is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting of methane and commonly including varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium.