Book excerpt: Aimed at students and professionals, this book covers every major aspect of petroleum: the origin of fossil hydrocarbons and their chemical/physical properties; discovering hydrocarbon reserves; recovering oil, gas, and bitumen; purifying gas; the chemical and physical characterization of crude oil; refining crudes into fuels and lubricants; and converting simple chemicals into solvents, polymers, fibers, rubbers, coatings, and myriad other products, including pharmaceuticals. Readers will learn how the industry operates, from "upstream" exploration and production, "midstream" transportation to "downstream" refining, and manufacturing of finished products. The book also contains unique chapters on midstream operations, learnings from major accidents, and safety/environmental laws and regulations. It builds on the authors' previous books and teaching material from a highly rated course that is taught at the Florida A&M University/Florida State University (USA).