The development of the Internet has provided a new world of data availability and access. Yet navigating to the information you want can be time consuming. Oil Market Basics (OMB) is uniquely suited to the strengths of the Internet. In its six chapters' text, it provides an overview of oil markets and how they function. In its graphs, it pictures the trends and patterns discussed.  In its more than 400 links, it provides a road map to EIA data and other information on oil markets available on the Web.  By design, Oil Market Basics does not provide the most current data, but links to the data.  For the most current data, start with the Petroleum Division's U.S. Petroleum Information at a Glance.

Oil Market Basics has been designed to be helpful to a variety of potential users. Some with little previous knowledge of how the oil market functions will need a basic orientation. Others, even veterans, may look for long term perspective or quick references to trends. In addition, users at all levels of expertise can use the links to find EIA's oil data more readily and to access articles, analyses, and other sources of information. We hope that our customers will find the combination of the broad perspective and the ability to use the hotlinks to drill down to very specific current data a useful one.

As the statistical agency of record on matters of energy, EIA develops energy data and analyses that enhance the understanding of energy issues on the part of business, government, and the general public.  The data used to prepare Oil Market Basics are all available at the EIA website (http://www.eia.doe.gov).  EIA also makes data available in its many hard copy publications and its quarterly CD-ROM "Energy InfoDisc."  Furthermore, EIA maintains an automated e-mail system to provide specific data or notification of data availability to those customers who sign up.

We hope you find Oil Market Basics useful. We look forward to your feedback, as we plan to update the Oil Market Basics periodically to keep it current and responsive to your needs.  Graphs and charts, for instance, will be updated annually, when EIA publishes final annual data.

In surveying petroleum markets and how they work, Oil Market Basics starts with crude oil exploration and production and proceeds through each feature of petroleum use, processing, distribution, and pricing.  The flow of oil from different supply sources through processing, distribution and end use can be depicted in a flow chart. 

Getting around. Click on the chapter title at the left to go to that chapter.  The basics of oil markets -- the first principles -- are available in its text.  Each chapter begins with its own detailed table of contents.  At the end of each chapter, you can choose to move on to the next chapter, to look at some of the chapter topics in more detail, to look at the chapter's graphs, or to go to the compilation of hyperlinks on the subject.  You can also browse the detailed table of the contents for all of Oil Market Basics at any time by clicking on "Contents" at the left.

Cheryl J. Trench, a consultant to EIA and a recognized authority on oil markets, designed and wrote Oil Market Basics in conjunction with the staff of EIA's Petroleum Division.

 For questions and comments about Oil Market Basics 
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