Oil reserves in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Oil reserves was 397.47 million cubic meters in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Oil reserves in United Kingdom, 1980–2021
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in cubic meters.
Analysis
In 2021, oil reserves in United Kingdom stood at 397.47 million cubic meters. That is the lowest value across all 42 years on record.
That represents a change of down 7.4% on the previous year and down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, oil reserves in United Kingdom peaked at 2.45 billion cubic meters in 1980 and was at its lowest, 397.47 million cubic meters, in 2018.
United Kingdom ranks 30th of 215 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.88 billion cubic meters | 822.76 million cubic meters | 2.45 billion cubic meters | 10 |
| 1990s | 704.21 million cubic meters | 608.13 million cubic meters | 825.28 million cubic meters | 10 |
| 2000s | 697.44 million cubic meters | 542.15 million cubic meters | 819.30 million cubic meters | 10 |
| 2010s | 447.90 million cubic meters | 397.47 million cubic meters | 496.40 million cubic meters | 10 |
| 2020s | 413.37 million cubic meters | 397.47 million cubic meters | 429.27 million cubic meters | 2 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More energy & mining data for United Kingdom
- Fuel imports 8.2% (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 3.3% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 5.7% (2025)
- Gas production 299.32 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 4,304 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 299.32 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 4,304 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 7.1% (2025)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 9.9% (2024)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 49.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is oil reserves in United Kingdom?
- Oil reserves in United Kingdom was 397.47 million cubic meters in 2021, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest oil reserves recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 2.45 billion cubic meters in 1980.
- What is the lowest oil reserves recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 397.47 million cubic meters in 2018.
- How does United Kingdom rank for oil reserves?
- United Kingdom ranks 30th out of 215 countries with data for 2021.
- Is oil reserves rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from U.S. Energy Information Administration (2022) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Oil reserves. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 42 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Proved reserves, measured in cubic meters, are generally those quantities that can be recovered in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, according to geological and engineering information. Includes crude oil and lease condensate.