Refining and reforming: Overview
How black crude and grey gas become the fuels we burn
What this tile covers Turning crude oil and gas into fuels and hydrogen. Share of use 33% share of final energy use (2019)Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. (calculated) Oil products made 40.4% of world final energy in 2019 (IEA). Refinery runs were 82.7 million b/d in 2024 (IEA, via Argus), about 81% of the 101.8 million b/d of oil consumed (Energy Institute); applying 81% to 40.4% gives about 32.8%. Natural gas liquids and biofuels that bypass refineries are excluded; refinery volume gains make product output slightly larger than runs, so this is slightly low. Hydrogen and syngas from reformers (overlap) are not added. Source: Key World Energy Statistics 2021, International Energy Agency.
Key facts
| Chain | Chemical (crude) → heat (distillation) → chemical (cracking, reforming) → fuels |
Included from the reference tables
- Oil refining (distillation, cracking, reforming)
- Steam methane reforming (grey hydrogen)
- Coal gasification and coal-to-liquids
Linked to the material world
Oil Crude oilGas Natural gasH2 HydrogenAlso in Fuel processing
eF Low-carbon hydrogen and e-fuelsPtX Power-to-XExplore paths from here
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