Fuel prices in the United Kingdom remain one of the biggest concerns for households, businesses, and transport companies. Recently, petrol prices are averaging around 136.53p per litre while diesel prices are about 148.35p per litre across the UK. At the same time, global crude oil prices are trading around $94.67 per barrel, which plays a major role in determining fuel prices at petrol stations.

Because the UK depends partly on imported crude oil and global energy markets, any change in international oil prices can quickly affect petrol and diesel costs. In this article, we analyse how much fuel the UK consumes daily, how many barrels of oil are required, where the UK imports oil from, how it is transported, and which companies refine crude oil into petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG and other petrochemical products.

Current Petrol and Diesel Prices in the UK

Latest average fuel prices in the UK:

Fuel prices in the UK are mainly influenced by several factors:

• Global crude oil prices
• Refining costs
• Transportation and logistics
• Exchange rates (pound vs dollar)
• Government fuel duty and VAT

If crude oil prices increase beyond $100 per barrel, petrol prices in the UK could move closer to 150p per litre or higher.

How Much Oil the UK Consumes Per Day

The United Kingdom is one of the largest oil consumers in Europe.

Estimated daily oil consumption:

Around 1.35 to 1.40 million barrels per day

Converting Barrels to Litres

1 barrel of oil = 159 litres

Calculation:

1.39 million barrels × 159 litres

= 221 million litres per day

So the UK uses approximately:

220–225 million litres of petroleum products every day

This includes petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, heating oil and petrochemical products.

Mathematical Breakdown of UK Fuel Consumption

Based on transport and industrial demand, UK oil consumption can be estimated across different sectors.

Example: Diesel Demand

Diesel is widely used in logistics, buses and heavy transport.

Estimated diesel consumption:

About 587,000 barrels per day

Converted into litres:

587,000 × 159 = 93 million litres per day

This makes diesel one of the most important fuels for the UK economy.

UK Oil Production vs Consumption

Although the UK produces crude oil, it cannot meet its full domestic demand.

This means almost half of the oil used in the UK must be imported from other countries.

North Sea Oil Production

The UK’s main domestic oil supply comes from the North Sea oil fields.

Important facts about North Sea oil:

• Peak production: 1999 (about 2.9 million barrels per day)
• Current production: around 600,000–700,000 barrels per day
• Remaining reserves: roughly 2–3 billion barrels

Many offshore oil fields are aging, which is one reason why the UK has become more dependent on imported oil.

Countries That Supply Oil to the UK

The UK imports crude oil from several countries to meet domestic demand.

Major suppliers include:

1. Norway – the largest supplier due to its proximity
2. United States
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Nigeria
5. Algeria

Norway alone provides a significant share of crude oil imports because both countries operate in the North Sea energy region.

How Crude Oil Is Transported to the UK

Crude oil reaches the UK through several transportation systems.

Oil Tankers

Most imported crude oil arrives via large oil tanker ships.

Typical tanker capacity:

• 1 million to 2 million barrels per ship

Major UK oil ports include:

• Milford Haven
• Teesside
• Hound Point (Scotland)
• Sullom Voe Terminal

Pipelines

Oil pipelines transport crude oil from offshore platforms to mainland terminals.

Example:

Forties Pipeline System connects North Sea oil fields to Scotland.

Storage Terminals

Oil terminals store crude oil before sending it to refineries for processing.

Major Oil Refineries in the UK

Crude oil must be processed in refineries before it becomes usable fuel.

The UK currently has five major oil refineries.

Fawley Refinery

• Owner: ExxonMobil
• Capacity: about 270,000 barrels per day
• Largest refinery in the UK

Stanlow Refinery

• Owner: Essar Energy
• Capacity: around 296,000 barrels per day

Pembroke Refinery

• Owner: Valero Energy
• Located in Wales

Lindsey Refinery

• Owner: Prax Group

Humber Refinery

• Owner: Phillips 66

Together these refineries produce petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, asphalt and petrochemicals used across the UK economy.

What Refineries Produce From Crude Oil

A typical barrel of crude oil produces several fuels and chemical products.

These fuels power cars, trucks, buses, airplanes, factories and shipping industries.

Stakeholders in the UK Oil and Fuel Industry

Several stakeholders are involved in the UK fuel supply chain.

Oil Producers

• BP
• Shell

Refining Companies

• ExxonMobil
• Essar Energy
• Valero Energy
• Phillips 66
• Prax Group

Government Regulators

• UK Department for Energy Security
• North Sea Transition Authority

Fuel Retailers

Petrol stations operated by companies such as BP, Shell, Esso and supermarkets sell refined fuels to consumers.

Can Fuel Prices Increase in the UK?

Yes, several factors could push fuel prices higher in the future.

Rising Global Oil Prices

If crude oil rises to $110–$120 per barrel, petrol prices in the UK could approach 150p–170p per litre.

Declining North Sea Production

Domestic oil output is gradually falling each year.

Global Supply Disruptions

Geopolitical conflicts can disrupt oil supply routes.

Refinery Capacity Changes

Closure or maintenance of refineries may affect supply.

Currency Exchange Rates

Oil is traded globally in US dollars, so a weaker British pound increases import costs.

20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much oil does the UK consume daily?
About 1.39 million barrels per day.

2. How many litres of fuel does the UK use per day?
Approximately 220 million litres.

3. How much diesel does the UK use daily?
Around 90–95 million litres.

4. Does the UK produce its own oil?
Yes, mainly from the North Sea oil fields.

5. Is the UK self-sufficient in oil?
No, it imports a large portion of crude oil.

6. Which country supplies the most oil to the UK?
Norway.

7. How is oil transported to the UK?
By oil tankers and pipelines.

8. What is the largest refinery in the UK?
Fawley refinery.

9. How many oil refineries are in the UK?
About five major refineries.

10. Why is diesel often more expensive than petrol?
Because diesel demand from trucks and logistics is high.

11. What products are made from crude oil?
Petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, lubricants and petrochemicals.

12. How much oil can a tanker carry?
Up to 2 million barrels.

13. What is North Sea oil?
Oil produced offshore between the UK and Norway.

14. Can petrol reach £2 per litre again in the UK?
It is possible if global oil prices spike.

15. Why are UK fuel prices volatile?
Because they depend on international oil markets.

16. Which sector uses the most fuel in the UK?
Transport.

17. How much petrol does the UK use daily?
About 120 million litres.

18. Will electric vehicles reduce fuel demand?
Yes gradually over time.

19. Does aviation use a lot of fuel?
Yes, aviation uses around 5–7% of oil demand.

20. Why does the UK import oil even though it produces some?
Because domestic production is lower than total consumption.

Final Thoughts

The United Kingdom consumes more than 1.3 million barrels of oil every day, equal to over 220 million litres of fuel daily. While domestic oil production from the North Sea still plays an important role, it no longer meets the country’s full energy demand.

As a result, the UK must import significant amounts of crude oil from international suppliers. Because of this reliance on global markets, petrol and diesel prices in the UK remain sensitive to global oil prices, geopolitical tensions and refinery capacity.

If crude oil prices continue rising beyond $100 per barrel, UK drivers could see higher petrol and diesel prices in the coming years.

Disclaimer

Fuel price estimates and consumption calculations in this article are based on publicly available industry data and market analysis. Actual fuel prices and consumption may vary depending on market conditions and government policy changes.