Ameer Randolph
A barrel of oil, which is equal to 42 gallons, can produce a range of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, distillate, residual fuel, liquefied gases, asphalt, lubricants, jet fuel, and wax. The amount of each product that can be derived from a barrel of oil varies depending on market demands and the location of the refinery. On average, one barrel of oil can yield around 19 to 20 gallons of gasoline, with gasoline accounting for approximately 45% of the total refined fuels obtained from a barrel. Understanding the breakdown of products within a barrel of crude oil provides insight into their significance and role in various industries, particularly in meeting the demands for vehicle fuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Barrel of oil in gallons | 42 gallons |
| Gasoline | 19-20 gallons or 45% of a 45-gallon barrel |
| Distillate fuel | 11-13 gallons |
| Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) | 11 gallons or 25% of a barrel |
| Kerosene/jet fuel | 15.5 liters or 9% of a 170-liter barrel |
| Residual fuel | 1 gallon or 2% of a barrel |
| Asphalt | 1 gallon |
| Lubricants | 1 quart |
| Wax | For 170 birthday candles or 27 wax crayons |
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What You'll Learn
Gasoline for vehicles
Gasoline is one of the most important refined products derived from crude oil, particularly in the US. It is primarily used as fuel for standard passenger vehicles, but it is also used by boats, power tools, and small engines.
A barrel of oil is equal to 42 gallons. On average, one barrel produces about 19 to 20 gallons of gasoline. This amount can vary based on market demands and the location of the refinery.
Gasoline accounts for 45% of a 45-gallon barrel of refined fuels, or 20 gallons of a 42-gallon barrel. Retailers often sell gasoline in three grades: Regular, Midgrade, and Premium – also referred to as unleaded, super, or super-premium. Each retailer may include unique brand-specific additives to differentiate their products.
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) is the second-largest portion of a refined product barrel, accounting for roughly 11 gallons (25% of the finished product). ULSD is often used interchangeably with heating oil and biodiesel. Together, ULSD and heating oil make up 12 gallons of a refined barrel.
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Kerosene for aircraft
Kerosene is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid derived from petroleum. It is a common fuel for aircraft, powering jet engines and, in a highly refined form, some rocket engines. Kerosene-type jet fuel is used for both commercial and military aircraft. In addition to powering aircraft, kerosene is used for military purposes, such as fuelling heaters, stoves, tanks, and tactical ground vehicles.
Kerosene accounts for roughly 4 gallons, or 9%, of the refined products derived from a barrel of crude oil. The refining process for converting crude oil into kerosene involves various steps to boil the oil within an allowable range for jet fuel. The resulting intermediates are then blended to meet jet fuel specifications. The refining process can be adjusted to increase kerosene yield and improve the final product. One such technology is hydrocracking, which involves hydrogenating and catalytically cracking the heavy fraction of crude oil to produce more valuable naphtha, kerosene, and gas oil range products. These products are then blended to increase the overall yield of kerosene.
The properties of kerosene used for jet fuel are standardised according to national and international guidelines. The flash point, freezing point, and smoke point are important specifications for the safe operation of aircraft. The freezing point of aviation fuel is standardised at −47 °C (−53 °F), with Grade 1-K kerosene freezing at around −40 °C (−40 °F, 233 K). The smoke point specification is related to the aromatic content of the fuel, which can vary depending on the oil field. Aromatics are energy-dense, benefiting the airline range, but their content is limited to minimise the emission of soot particles.
Kerosene has a long history, with the Chinese using it for lighting lamps and heating homes as early as 1500 BC. Today, it remains a widely used fuel for aviation and households, with a world total consumption of about 5,500,000 barrels per day as of July 2023.
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Residual fuel
A 42-gallon barrel of crude oil contains approximately 45 gallons of salable refined crude oil products. The refining process of crude oil results in a diverse array of products, each serving distinct purposes across various industries. Gasoline, which fuels our daily commutes, accounts for 20 gallons (45%) of a 45-gallon barrel of refined fuels. Other products derived from a barrel of oil include distillate fuel, jet fuel, residual fuel, ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), kerosene, hydrocarbon gas liquids, asphalt, lubricants, waxes, and petrochemical feedstocks.
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Ultra-low-sulfur diesel
A 42-gallon crude oil barrel contains approximately 45 gallons of salable refined crude oil products, including ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD). ULSD is the second-largest portion of a refined product barrel, equating to roughly 11 gallons, or 25%, of the finished product.
ULSD is a diesel fuel with substantially lowered sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been of the ULSD type. The move to lower sulfur content allows for the application of advanced emissions control technologies, which substantially lower the harmful emissions from diesel combustion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new standards to improve air quality, mandating that ULSD must contain a maximum of 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur.
The refining process that removes the sulfur also reduces the aromatic content and density of the fuel, resulting in a minor decrease in energy content of about 1%. This decrease in energy content may result in slightly reduced peak power and fuel economy. The transition to ULSD is not without substantial costs. The US government estimated that pump prices for diesel fuel increased between 5 and 25 cents per US gallon as a result of the transition.
The process used to reduce the sulfur also reduces the fuel's lubricating properties. Lubricity is a measure of the fuel's ability to lubricate and protect the various parts of the engine's fuel injection system from wear. Lower fuel lubricity is known to contribute to increased engine wear, which can also increase maintenance and repair costs for equipment that consume ULSD.
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Distillate fuel
One barrel of crude oil, when refined, typically yields around 45 gallons of distillate fuel. This can include a range of products, but the term "distillate fuel" most commonly refers to diesel fuel and heating oil. These products are vital for transportation and heating purposes, especially in regions with colder climates.
The composition of distillate fuel can vary depending on the
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Frequently asked questions
A barrel of oil can produce around 19 to 20 gallons of gasoline, which is about 45% of the total volume of refined fuel.
One barrel of oil can make around 11 to 13 gallons of distillate fuel. This includes different types of diesel fuel and fuel oils.
Aside from gasoline and distillate, a barrel of oil can also produce liquefied gases, lubricants, jet fuel, residual fuel, asphalt, wax, and petrochemicals.
A barrel of oil is equal to 42 gallons. After refining, this typically results in around 45 gallons of salable refined oil products.
