"Downstream" refers to the direction in which a river or stream flows, moving from higher elevations to lower ones. In this context, it indicates the flow of water towards the mouth of the river, where it may empty into a larger body of water, such as an ocean or lake. In a broader sense, "downstream" can also describe processes in various industries, such as the oil and gas sector. Here, it refers to activities that occur after the extraction of raw materials, including refining, distribution, and marketing of products like gasoline and other fuels.