Regan Brown
Oil, also known as petroleum or crude oil, is a fossil fuel formed from the decay of organic materials from prehistoric organisms. Petroleum is a major energy source, with the world consuming about 100 million barrels daily. In 2022, the US consumed about 20.28 million barrels per day, with the transportation sector accounting for the largest share. The breakdown of petroleum consumption varies by country, season, and refinery, but typically includes gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and other products. For instance, in 2023, about 44% of US petroleum consumption was gasoline, 19% was distillate fuel, 8% was jet fuel, 17% was hydrocarbon gas liquids, and 11% was biofuels. Globally, each person consumes about 5 barrels of oil per year, contributing to the significant role of petroleum in modern life and economic development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global oil consumption per capita | 5 barrels of oil (about 197 gallons) per person yearly (based on the 2016 world population) |
| Global oil consumption per day | 97,103,871 barrels (as of 2016) or 100 million barrels (as of 2025) |
| US petroleum consumption per day | 20.28 million barrels (as of 2022) |
| Percentage of US petroleum consumption by sector | Transportation sector: 43% Industrial sector: 20% |
| Types of petroleum products consumed in the US | Gasoline: 43% Distillate fuel oil: 20% Hydrocarbon gas liquids: 18% Jet fuel: 8% |
| Petroleum products | Fuels: gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel Bitumen, paraffin wax, lubricants Reagents used to make plastics, solvents, textiles, refrigerants, paint, synthetic rubber, fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals |
| Biofuel production | Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oil or algae |
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What You'll Learn
Gasoline/petrol: 40-45% of oil is used for this
Gasoline, or petrol, is the most-consumed petroleum product in the United States. In 2022, the consumption of finished motor gasoline, which includes fuel ethanol, averaged about 8.78 million barrels per day (369 million gallons per day). This accounted for about 40-45% of total US petroleum consumption, which averaged about 20.28 million barrels per day.
Gasoline is primarily used to propel vehicles. However, it is also used in the industrial sector as a raw material (a feedstock) to make products such as plastics, polyurethane, solvents, and hundreds of other intermediate and end-user goods.
The transportation sector accounts for the largest share of US petroleum consumption. In addition to gasoline, distillate fuel oil is the second-most-consumed petroleum product in the US. It includes diesel fuel and heating oil. Diesel fuel is used in diesel engines, which are often found in heavy construction equipment, trucks, buses, tractors, boats, trains, some automobiles, and electricity generators. Heating oil, also called fuel oil, is used for heating homes and buildings in boilers and furnaces, for industrial heating, and for producing electricity in power plants.
Jet fuel is the fourth-most-used petroleum product in the United States. In 2022, jet fuel consumption averaged about 1.56 million barrels per day (65 million gallons per day), accounting for about 8% of total petroleum consumption. Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) are the third-most-used category of petroleum in the US and include propane, ethane, butane, and other HGLs produced at natural gas processing plants and oil refineries. Total HGL consumption in 2022 averaged about 3.59 million barrels per day, making up about 18% of total petroleum consumption.
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Diesel: 25-30% of oil is used for diesel fuel
The percentage of oil that is used for fuel varies by country, season, and refinery. On average, 25-30% of oil is used for diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is used in diesel engines, which are found in heavy construction equipment, trucks, buses, tractors, boats, trains, some automobiles, and electricity generators. In the US, distillate fuel oil, which includes diesel fuel and heating oil, is the second-most-consumed petroleum product. In 2022, total distillate fuel oil consumption in the US averaged about 3.96 million barrels per day (166 million gallons per day), which was 20% of total US petroleum consumption.
Diesel fuel is a crucial component of the transportation sector, which accounts for the largest share of US petroleum consumption. Diesel engines are known for their high torque and fuel efficiency, making them ideal for various vehicles, including trucks, buses, and trains. Additionally, diesel fuel is used in heavy construction equipment, tractors, boats, and some automobiles. The versatility and performance of diesel engines contribute to the significant demand for diesel fuel.
The percentage of oil used for diesel fuel can range from 25% to 30%, depending on various factors. The quality of the oil plays a significant role, as refineries may require more or less processing to produce diesel fuel. The complexity of the refinery processes can impact the yield of diesel fuel produced from a given volume of crude oil.
It's important to note that the use of diesel fuel is not limited to the transportation sector. Diesel fuel is also utilized in electricity generation, providing power for homes, businesses, and industrial processes. This dual role of diesel fuel as a transportation and energy source further contributes to its significant consumption.
While diesel fuel plays a crucial role in meeting energy demands, there is a growing focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact. As a result, biofuels and renewable diesel are being explored and developed as alternatives to traditional diesel fuel. These alternatives aim to reduce the carbon footprint and provide more sustainable options for the future.
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Aviation fuel: 5-10% of oil is used for this
The aviation industry represents 7.8% of final oil consumption worldwide. This figure has been rising rapidly and, in 2019, the global fuel consumption by commercial airlines reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons. This figure dropped to 52 billion gallons in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it rose again in 2021 and was forecast to reach 92-99 billion gallons in 2023-24.
Aviation fuel is typically kerosene-based, with the commercial name Jet A1, Jet A, or Jet B. Kerosene is a yellowish oily liquid with a strong odour and low viscosity, and an average density of 0.8 kg/l. It has a freezing point of -47º Celsius, although a variant used in Russia has a freezing point of -60º Celsius, necessary for flying in low winter temperatures. Kerosene-based fuel has a much higher flash point than gasoline-based fuel, meaning that it requires significantly higher temperatures to ignite. It is also resistant to cold at high altitudes.
Other types of aviation fuel include aviation gasoline (AVGAS or Avgas), which is used by small piston-engine airplanes, light helicopters, and vintage piston-engined aircraft. It is a highly refined form of gasoline with an emphasis on purity and anti-knock characteristics. It must meet performance guidelines for both the rich mixture condition required for take-off power settings and the leaner mixtures used during the cruise to reduce fuel consumption.
Oil is also used in aircraft engines for lubrication and cooling. There are three primary types of oil used in aircraft engines: mineral, ashless dispersant (AD), and synthetic. Mineral oil is the most common type and is made of refined petroleum. AD oil also contains addictive chemicals to help collect soot and debris from inside the engine. Synthetic oil is made from chemically modified substances. Oil viscosity is important in airplanes to ensure the oil will flow in cold temperatures while remaining thick enough to protect the engine from extreme heat.
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Heating oil: 20% of US oil consumption in 2022
In 2022, distillate fuel oil, which includes diesel fuel and heating oil, was the second-most-consumed petroleum product in the United States. Heating oil, also known as fuel oil, is used for heating homes and buildings in boilers and furnaces, for industrial heating, and for producing electricity in power plants.
The total distillate fuel oil consumption in 2022 averaged about 3.96 million barrels per day (166 million gallons per day), which was 20% of total US petroleum consumption. This consumption figure for heating oil is significantly lower than that of the most-consumed petroleum product, finished motor gasoline, which includes fuel ethanol and averaged about 8.78 million barrels per day (369 million gallons per day) in 2022, accounting for about 43% of total US petroleum consumption.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) includes biofuels in its consumption figures for petroleum products. In 2022, US total petroleum consumption averaged about 20.28 million barrels per day, including about 1.17 million barrels per day of biofuels (1.002 million barrels per day of fuel ethanol and 0.164 million barrels per day of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other biofuels combined). US total petroleum consumption in 2022 was about 2% higher than in 2021 and about 12% higher than in 2020, largely due to the US economy returning to pre-COVID-19 pandemic activity levels.
Jet fuel is the fourth-most-used petroleum product in the US. In 2022, jet fuel consumption averaged about 1.56 million barrels per day (65 million gallons per day), accounting for about 8% of total petroleum consumption. Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs), which include propane, ethane, butane, and other HGLs produced at natural gas processing plants and oil refineries, are the third-most-used category of petroleum in the US. Total HGL consumption in 2022 averaged about 3.59 million barrels per day, accounting for approximately 18% of total petroleum consumption.
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Jet fuel: 8% of US oil consumption in 2022
In 2022, jet fuel was the fourth-most-used petroleum product in the United States, with consumption averaging about 1.56 million barrels per day (b/d) or 65 million gallons per day. This accounted for approximately 8% of total US petroleum consumption that year, which averaged about 20.28 million b/d. This consumption of jet fuel was lower than in 2019, which averaged 1.7 million b/d, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel.
Jet fuel consumption is closely linked to the aviation industry's operations and passenger counts. Despite the decrease in jet fuel consumption in 2022 compared to 2019, airline passenger numbers in the US had almost returned to 2019 levels. This discrepancy can be attributed to the improved fuel efficiency of newer aircraft models, which has resulted in a reduction in fuel usage per flight.
The US sources jet fuel from various channels, including domestic production and imports. However, in 2022, the supply of jet fuel faced challenges due to disruptions in the global petroleum trade, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and associated sanctions, as well as reduced exports from China. These factors contributed to tighter inventories and higher prices for jet fuel.
The consumption of jet fuel has significant environmental implications. Aircraft emissions contribute to air pollution and climate change, particularly through the release of greenhouse gases and particulate matter. To address these concerns, the aviation industry is exploring sustainable alternatives, including biofuels and the use of electric aircraft for shorter routes.
While jet fuel plays a crucial role in the aviation industry, efforts are being made to balance its consumption with environmental sustainability. The development of more fuel-efficient aircraft and the exploration of alternative fuel sources reflect the industry's recognition of the need to reduce its environmental footprint.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the country, season, and refinery, but on average, 40-45% of oil is used for gasoline, 25-30% for diesel, 5-10% for aviation fuel, and 15-25% for other purposes. In the US, the transportation sector accounts for the largest share of petroleum consumption, with finished motor gasoline consumption averaging about 8.78 million barrels per day in 2022, which was about 43% of total US petroleum consumption.
Petroleum, also known as crude oil or simply oil, is a naturally occurring fossil fuel formed from the anaerobic decay of organic materials from buried prehistoric organisms, especially plankton and algae. It is a yellowish-black liquid chemical mixture consisting mainly of hydrocarbons. Petroleum is refined into various products, including fuels such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel.
Oil, as a fossil fuel, contributes to anthropogenic climate change by releasing carbon that has been stored in the Earth for millions of years. This increases the carbon in our atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Additionally, the extraction, refining, and burning of petroleum fuels can have negative impacts on the natural environment, climate system, and human health.
