In petroleum, upstream: oil in its natural state before the same has been refined or otherwise treated. It does not include oil produced through destructive distillation of coal, bituminous shale or other stratified deposits, either in its natural state or after the extraction of water, and sand or other foreign substances therefrom [Section 3(b), Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972]
In petroleum, downstream: oil in its natural state before the same has been refined or otherwise treated, but excluding water, bottoms, sediments and foreign substances [Section 4(d), Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998; Section 3(j), Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 IRR]
Note: The term is alternatively referred to as Crude. Under the Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972, the term is written as “Crude oil”.