Downstream oil refers to the supply of oil from its production at refineries to its final consumption by end users.
Technical incidents occur from time-to-time in the downstream oil sector without any discernable impact on supplies, and these are managed and resolved by the companies concerned.
Oil companies also have well-practiced emergency response measures.
Managing disruptions or emergencies
DECC is the lead government department for coordinating the response to a significant disruption to oil supply or demand. As part of the ongoing programme of work conducted by the Government to build resilience to disruptive challenges, DECC has developed the National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F).
This identifies how the downstream oil industry and the Government need to respond in an emergency, using one or more emergency response tools to manage any significant disruption.
If there is an actual or threatened oil emergency in the UK affecting fuel supplies, emergency powers under the Energy Act 1976 may be used. These allow the regulation or prohibition of the production, supply, acquisition or use of substances as fuel. These powers underpin many of the response tools in the NEP-F.
To ensure fuel emergencies are managed quickly and effectively, the UK Government, Scottish Executive, Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales, oil companies, trade associations, hauliers, Trades Union Congress and police have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. This sets out our collective response in the case of a fuel emergency.
Measures to reduce fuel consumption
There are various ways motorists can reduce the amount of fuel they use. These range from planning your route before you travel, to driving sensibly and properly maintaining your vehicle.
Useful links
Read more in the following links: