The Global Oil Industry: Fuel's Piece Of The Pie

how much of oil production goes to fuel

Crude oil is a fossil fuel that is refined into various types of fuels and other products. In 2022, the US consumed about 20.28 million barrels of petroleum per day, including about 1.17 million barrels of biofuels. Gasoline is the most-consumed petroleum product in the US, with consumption in 2022 averaging about 8.78 million barrels per day, accounting for about 43% of total US petroleum consumption. Diesel fuel and heating oil are also major petroleum products, with diesel being used in a variety of vehicles and equipment, and heating oil being used for homes, industrial heating, and power generation. Other petroleum products include jet fuel, hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs), plastics, cosmetics, textiles, and medical supplies. While the proportions of refined products can vary, fuels for transportation and utilities continue to dominate a large share of the market.

Characteristics Values
Percentage of oil production that goes into fuel 40-45% gasoline, 25-30% diesel, 5-10% aviation fuel, 15-25% other fuels
Percentage of oil production that goes into fuel (by barrel) 46% gasoline, 26% diesel and other fuels, 9% jet fuel, 4% asphalt, 1% lubricants, 15% other
Most consumed petroleum product in the US Gasoline (369 million gallons per day or 43% of total US petroleum consumption in 2022)
Second most consumed petroleum product in the US Distillate fuel oil (diesel fuel and heating oil) (166 million gallons per day or 20% of total US petroleum consumption in 2022)
Third most consumed petroleum product in the US Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) (propane, ethane, butane) (18% of total US petroleum consumption in 2022)
Fourth most consumed petroleum product in the US Jet fuel (8% of total US petroleum consumption in 2022)

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Gasoline: 40-45% of oil barrels to 46%

Gasoline is the most-consumed petroleum product in the United States. In 2022, the consumption of finished motor gasoline averaged about 8.78 million barrels per day (b/d) (369 million gallons per day), which was around 43% of total US petroleum consumption. This figure includes fuel ethanol. While gasoline production is one of the largest petroleum-based products currently manufactured, it makes up less than half of a barrel of crude oil.

The percentage of crude oil that becomes gasoline varies by country, season, and refinery, but it typically falls between 40-45%. In 2016, the US consumed approximately 19.7 million b/d of petroleum, with motor gasoline consumption averaging about 9.3 million b/d.

In 2022, the total US petroleum consumption averaged about 20.28 million b/d, including about 1.17 million b/d of biofuels. This figure is a combination of fuel ethanol and biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other biofuels.

Gasoline accounts for 46% of an oil barrel, with the remaining 54% going towards other products. About 26% of crude oil goes into diesel and other fuels, 9% becomes jet fuel, 3% is used to make asphalt, 1% is used for lubricants, and the remaining 15% is classified as "other". These "bottom of the barrel" petrochemical products include thousands of different items, such as cosmetics, medicine, plastics, polyurethane, solvents, and other intermediate and end-user goods.

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Diesel: 25-30% of oil barrels to 26%

Crude oil is a fossil fuel that is the natural byproduct of decaying plants and animals. It is a crucial source of energy and a raw material for various products. In 2022, the United States consumed approximately 20.28 million barrels of petroleum per day, including about 1.17 million barrels of biofuels.

Diesel fuel, a petroleum product derived from crude oil, is an essential component of the energy landscape. While the percentage of crude oil dedicated to diesel production can vary, it typically falls within the range of 25-30% of oil barrels. This percentage can be influenced by factors such as the quality of the oil, the complexity of the refinery processes, and market demand.

Diesel fuel has a diverse range of applications and is used in diesel engines commonly found in heavy construction equipment, trucks, buses, tractors, boats, trains, some automobiles, and electricity generators. It plays a significant role in transportation and utility sectors, contributing to the mobility of people and goods.

However, it is important to note that the percentage of crude oil allocated to diesel production has seen a slight decrease over time. According to recent estimates, diesel fuel accounts for about 26% of the crude oil used in production. This small decline could be attributed to various factors, including the increasing focus on renewable energy sources and the pursuit of climate goals.

While diesel fuel remains a significant component of energy consumption, the world is witnessing a transition towards alternative energy sources. This shift aims to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and promote more sustainable practices to protect our environment and address climate change concerns.

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Aviation fuel: 5-10% of oil barrels to 9%

Aviation fuel consumption makes up a significant portion of global oil consumption, with the industry representing 7.8% of final oil consumption worldwide. This figure has been increasing rapidly, surpassing the energy use of the maritime shipping industry, which accounts for 6.7% of global oil consumption.

In 2022, jet fuel consumption in the United States averaged about 1.56 million barrels per day, or 65 million gallons per day, constituting around 8% of the country's total petroleum consumption. This makes jet fuel the fourth-most-used petroleum product in the United States.

The global fuel consumption of commercial airlines reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons in 2019. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, consumption dropped to 52 billion gallons in 2020. The aviation industry is projected to increase its fuel consumption, with forecasts estimating a rise to 92 billion gallons in 2023 and 99 billion gallons in 2024.

While aviation fuel consumption constitutes a notable portion of global oil consumption, it is worth noting that the industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is between 2% and 3%, facing challenges due to limited fuel availability and infrastructure restrictions. Additionally, the latest-generation aircraft consume 70% less fuel than those from the 1960s, indicating efforts to improve fuel efficiency in the aviation sector.

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Heating oil: 20% of total US consumption in 2022

In 2022, distillate fuel oil—which includes diesel fuel and heating oil—accounted for about 20% of total US petroleum consumption. This amounted to about 3.96 million barrels per day (166 million gallons per day).

Heating oil, also known as fuel oil, is used for heating homes and buildings in boilers and furnaces, as well as for industrial heating and electricity generation in power plants. While annual residential heating oil consumption peaked in the US during the 1970s, it has been on a general decline since. As of the 2023-2024 winter season, about 4.79 million households in the US, mostly in the Northeast Census Region, relied on heating oil as their primary heating fuel.

In comparison to other petroleum products, distillate fuel oil is the second-most-consumed in the US, with gasoline taking the top spot at 43% of total US petroleum consumption in 2022. Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) are the third-most-consumed, accounting for 18% of total consumption in 2022, and jet fuel is the fourth-most-consumed, making up 8% of total consumption in the same year.

The US consumes a significant amount of petroleum products, with total consumption averaging about 20.25 to 20.28 million barrels per day in 2022. This includes biofuels, which made up about 1.17 million barrels per day of US petroleum consumption in the same year.

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Asphalt: 3% of oil barrels to 4%

In 2022, the United States consumed about 20.28 million barrels of petroleum per day, with gasoline being the most-consumed petroleum product, accounting for about 43% of total US petroleum consumption. Distillate fuel oil, which includes diesel fuel and heating oil, is the second-most-consumed petroleum product, accounting for about 20% of total US consumption.

Asphalt, on the other hand, is made from crude oil, which is composed of hydrocarbons primarily made of carbon chains or rings, with hydrogen as the other primary constituent. The crude oil is heated to very high temperatures, causing more than half of it to vaporize. The heavier hydrocarbons, including asphalt, settle near the bottom of the fractionation tower, while the lighter ones rise to the top and are removed. Asphalt is, essentially, the heavy residue left over from the oil refining process. It is the heaviest component of crude petroleum and does not boil off or evaporate during distillation.

Asphalt is used in a variety of applications, including roads, parking lots, sidewalks, airport runways, playgrounds, bike paths, and tennis courts. It is also used to coat pipes, roofing, and the undercarriages of vehicles. Asphalt is one of the oldest engineering substances known, dating back to 2600 B.C. when the ancient Egyptians used it for preserving and waterproofing mummies.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the country, season, and refinery, but on average, 40-45% becomes gasoline, 25-30% becomes diesel, 5-10% becomes aviation fuel, and about 15-25% is classified as "other".

The "other" category includes plastics, cosmetics, textiles, wax, asphalt, lubricants, medicine, and thousands of other intermediate and end-user goods.

Oil is primarily refined into fuels like gasoline, diesel, and hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) like propane and butane. These fuels are used for transportation, heating, and cooking.

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