The petroleum industry encompasses the global processes of exploration, extraction, refining, transportation (often via oil tankers and pipelines), and marketing of petroleum products. The industry’s two most important products are fuel oil and gasoline (petrol). Petroleum (oil) is also used as a raw material in the production of many chemical products, such as pharmaceuticals, solvents, fertilisers, pesticides, and plastics. Upstream, midstream, and downstream are the three major components of the industry. Midstream operations are typically classified as downstream. The majority of our materials are anti-corrosion materials that are primarily used in oilfield equipment.
The construction of ships and other floating vessels is known as shipbuilding. It is typically carried out in a specialised facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also known as shipwrights, practise a specialised trade that dates back before recorded history. Commercial and military shipbuilding and ship repairs. Shipbuilding is a similar activity to ship construction.
Petrochemicals are petroleum-derived chemical products. Some petroleum-derived chemical compounds are also derived from other fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, or renewable sources, such as corn or sugar cane. Olefins (including ethylene and propylene) and aromatics are the two most common petrochemical classes (including benzene, toluene and xylene isomers). By fluid catalytic cracking of petroleum fractions, oil refineries produce olefins and aromatics. Olefins are produced in chemical plants by steam cracking natural gas liquids such as ethane and propane.
Aerospace refers to the human effort in science, engineering, and business to fly in the Earth’s atmosphere and surrounding space (aeronautics). Aerospace companies develop, design, manufacture, operate, or maintain aircraft and/or spacecraft. Aerospace activity is extremely varied, with numerous commercial, industrial, and military applications.