In the US, how many litres are there in a barrel of crude oil?

One barrel equals 42 US gallons or 35 UK (imperial) gallons, or approximately 159 litres (that is 158.9 liters) or 9,702 cubic inches (5.6 cubic feet); 6.29 barrels equal one cubic meter and (on average) 7.33 barrels weigh one metric ton (1000 kilograms).

I bet quite a number of us don't know this fact. However, this conversion depends on the country and usually the volume of crude oil or quality.

More Info: en.wikipedia.com

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24 Comments

Mrs. Deadman

In the US, we measure with standard, not metric. Quarts and gallons please, save the litres for across the pond.

Phil Kennelty

Howard Groopman, Thank you for doing the math. I estimated and used the double chance just in case.

Phil Kennelty

Had to use the double chance to avoid remembering 9th grade math.

Helga U. Williams

Good question. I didn't know and guessed incorrectly. Not too many questions ask about liters. Hope to retain this knowledge, 👍

Howard Groopman

I've read many times that a barrel of crude oil is an imaginary container holding 42 US gallons. So I did the math: a gallon of many liquids weighs 128 oz, a liter 33.8. Dividing one by the other, then multiplying by 42, gave me the figure closest to the answer.

earlepg

During all of my 80 years, I never knew what a "barrel of oil" meant even, though it's mentioned in the national news nearly every day. Whether I were told that it 55 gallons, 42 gallons, or 158.9 litres, I wouldn't have known. After this question, I hope that I don't forget that it is either 42 gallons, close to 159 litres, or both.