Convert Barrel (Oil) (bbl (oil)) to Barrel (UK) (bbl (UK)) instantly.
About these units
Barrel (Oil) (bbl (oil))
An oil barrel is defined as 42 US gallons, or 158.987 liters, and is a fundamental unit in the petroleum industry. This peculiar size traces back to the early Pennsylvania oil fields, where producers standardized whiskey barrels and modified wooden casks for oil transport. The need for consistent trade volumes cemented the 42-gallon barrel as the industry norm. Today, global oil production, pricing, and consumption are expressed in barrels—from daily OPEC reports to energy market forecasts. Even though oil is no longer physically shipped in barrels, the unit remains deeply embedded in international energy economics.
Barrel (UK) (bbl (UK))
The UK barrel also varies by context but is commonly set at 36 imperial gallons, or about 163.66 liters. Used in British breweries, distilleries, and older trade systems, the UK barrel historically held ale, beer, and spirits. Barrel sizes were not only a reflection of trade standardization but also taxation. Governments often taxed based on container size, prompting industries to standardize capacities for legal and economic stability. Though less prevalent today due to metrication, the UK barrel remains in use in traditional breweries and historical references. It is an enduring symbol of Britain's long brewing heritage and the complex history of imperial trade.