Convert barrel (bl / bbl)

While the volume of a barrel can vary depending on the standard used, the so-called "US barrel", which corresponds to a volume of 42 US gallons, is often used internationally.

Since crude oil can have different densities, the weight and volume of a barrel of crude oil vary. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between volume and weight units. In this article, we will look at the conversion of barrels into different units.

1. conversion to volume units

• US gallons: As mentioned earlier, one barrel is equal to 42 US gallons.

• Liters: One US gallon is equal to 3.78541 liters. Therefore, one barrel equals approximately 158.987 liters.

• Cubic meter: 1 cubic meter corresponds to 1,000 liters. Therefore, one barrel equals approximately 0.158987 cubic meters.

2. conversion into units of weight

As the density of crude oil is between 0.7 and 0.9 kg/L, the weight of a barrel of crude oil can vary:

• Kilogram: a barrel of crude oil weighs between 111 and 143 kilograms, depending on the density of the oil.

• Tons: Since one ton is equal to 1,000 kilograms, a barrel of crude oil weighs between 0.111 and 0.143 tons.

3 Special cases and notes

• British barrel: The British barrel is a different unit of volume and differs from the US barrel. It has a volume of 36 British gallons, which is roughly equivalent to 163.659 liters.

• Density of crude oil: It is important to note that the density of crude oil can vary depending on its origin and quality. A barrel of heavy crude oil will therefore weigh more than a barrel of lighter oil.

Summary

A barrel as a unit of volume in the petroleum industry can be converted into a variety of other units, both volumetrically and by weight. Since the density of crude oil can vary, one should always consider the specific type and quality of the oil when making the conversion.