The petroleum industry is the backbone of the global economy, responsible for the production, refining, and distribution of petroleum. Fuel serves as a primary source of energy for transportation, heating, and manufacturing.
The petroleum industry is divided into three main segments:
- exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas,
- transportation of oil and gas through pipelines and tankers,
- refining of crude oil into fuels and other products, and distribution of these products.
Oil reserves are unevenly distributed around the world, with the largest share in the Middle East. However, major producing countries include the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Canada.
The petroleum industry faces many challenges, including geopolitical instability, fluctuating oil prices, environmental concerns, and the transition to cleaner energy sources. Despite these challenges, oil is expected to remain an important source of energy for the foreseeable future.