What function does an oil terminal serve in refining operations?

An oil terminal serves a crucial role as a storage and distribution hub within refining operations. It is designed to handle large quantities of crude oil, intermediate products, and finished products, providing a central location for storing these materials before they are transported to refineries or distributed to consumers. The terminal ensures that there is a continuous supply of crude oil available for refining and a mechanism for efficiently moving finished products to market.

Additionally, terminals facilitate the logistics of the oil supply chain by allowing for the receipt of shipments via tankers or pipelines, as well as the dispatch of products to various locations. This functionality is vital for maintaining the flow of operations in the refining industry, as it connects the production of oil from extraction sites to the end users who purchase the refined products.