The gap between energy production and consumption levels in the UK widened in the 3 months prior to November 2000, according to statistics released recently by the Department of Trade and Industry.
DTI's latest figures show that total output of all primary fuels-including coal and primary electricity-in the 3 month period was 68.8 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe), down 6.7% when compared with the same period a year ago. Production of petroleum fell by 13.9%, while gas output rose 7.3%.
DTI said the drop in UK oil output was due to a summer North Sea maintenance round that had a "longer and greater impact than last year."
Year to year, total consumption of primary fuels was 3.4% higher during the 3 months, rising to 56.4 million toe. Consumption of petroleum and gas climbed 2.4% and 2.5%, respectively. Overall energy use in the UK increased by 3% during the period.
Fuel supply disruptions
DTI said that fuel supply disruptions in September "may have affected the normal pattern of deliveries for both motor spirit and DERV [diesel engine road vehicle] fuel" through the fall of 2000 but that, using the data available, total use of petroleum during the period was 20.4 million tonnes, 1.6% higher than a year earlier. DERV fuel is gas oil used in high-speed compression ignition engines.
DTI said that its data are still being reviewed and may "eventually be subject to greater revision than usual."
Total motor spirit deliveries stood unchanged at 5.5 million tonnes, with those of unleaded fuel some 2.3% higher at 5.1 million tonnes. DERV fuel deliveries decreased 2%, while deliveries of other gas oils, primarily used for heating purposes, rose 11.7%. Fuel oil deliveries climbed 7.4%.
