Oil in American History  •  special issue, june 2012

Downstream Map

Supply | Downstream | Environmental/Industrial Disasters | Political-Cultural | International

This map depicts ten landmarks in the history of the “downstream” sector of the U.S. oil industry. Downstream refers to the transportation, refining, distribution, and sale of oil and oil products, as opposed to upstream, where oil is explored, drilled, and produced. The downstream sector includes oil pipelines, refineries and petrochemical plants, distribution networks, and retail outlets, where oil comes in contact with consumers.