9. Oil

Key data

(2017)

Crude oil production: 46.5 Mt (1 mb/d), -39% since 2007

Crude oil net imports: 15.0 Mt (201 kb/d) (53.4 Mt imported, 38.4 Mt exported) Oil product production: 60.0 Mt (1.3 mb/d), -26% since 2007

Oil product net imports: 10.1 Mt (210 kb/d) (33.2 Mt imported, 23.1 Mt exported) Share of oil: 34% of TPES and 43% of TFC

Consumption by sector: 70.3 Mt (1.4 mb/d) (transport 72%, industry 15%, transformation, and energy 7%, residential 3%, commercial 3%)

Overview

Oil has traditionally been one of the most important energy sources for the United Kingdom. Oil is the largest energy source in total final consumption (TFC) and the second largest source in total primary energy supply (TPES) after natural gas. Despite a small decline in total oil supply, the share of oil in TPES has slightly increased in the past decade, and the share of oil in TFC has been stable over four decades (Figure 9.1).

Domestic crude oil production declined from 1999 and the United Kingdom became a net importer of crude oil in 2005. In recent years, there has been a slight increase in production, but a long-term decline seems unavoidable. Domestic production of refined oil products has also declined, and the United Kingdom has been a net importer since 2013.

While becoming more import dependent, the United Kingdom diversified its supply sources and thereby reduced the impact of a potential supply disruption. Therefore, the United Kingdom remains well supplied by a combination of domestic refining and imported fuels and no significant disruptions to the oil supply have occurred since the previous in-depth review.

Oil is consumed mainly in transport and industry, and small amounts of heating oil are used in both the residential and non-domestic sectors. Under its Clean Growth Strategy, the United Kingdom has committed to phase out high-carbon fossil fuel heating in buildings not connected to the gas grid, such as unabated oil and coal, during the 2020s. The country is supporting zero and ultra-low emission vehicles and will end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040.

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ENERGY SECURITY

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