Petrol - Production and Uses

Key Points

• Petrol is produced by mixing fractions of crude oil distillates (petrochemicals) with various, brand-specific additives.
• Approximately 26 thousand million litres (6 thousand million gallons) of petrol were sold in the UK in 2005, equating to 820 litres (180 gallons) per second.

Petrol is produced at refineries by blending different fractions of crude oil distillates with various brand-specific additives and is used as a fuel for motor vehicles.

The quantity of petrol released by HM Revenue and Customs for consumption in the UK in 2005 was approximately 26 thousand million litres (6 thousand milliongallons),themajority(>99%) of which was “ultra-low sulphur petrol” for automotive engines. Petrol has also been used historically as a solvent in paints, for cleaning metal surfaces (degreasing) and in the treatment of head lice (during the late Victorian era).

Background       Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 15 October 2008