Petroleum, or crude oil, is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago in a marine environment. These remains were covered by layers of sand, silt and rock which subjected heat and pressure, turning it into oil. Crude oil is found in underground pools, or reservoirs, in tiny spaces within sedimentary rocks and near the earth's surface in tar (or oil) sands.
Petroleum refineries process crude oil into different petroleum products, such as gasoline, fuel oil and propane. It is also makes up part of thousands of different items, including tires, refrigerators, life jackets and anesthetics. Petroleum products are used in a variety of applications, including transportation, heating, power generation and chemical and plastics production.
Petroleum in Missouri
Although Missouri has oil sand and oil shale resources, little petroleum production occurs in the state. There is no in-state refinery. Petroleum products arrive by pipeline from the Gulf Coast and by barge. Six major oil pipelines cross Missouri.
Despite the lack of in-state production, more than 36% of the energy consumed in Missouri in 2023 came from petroleum. This equates to more than 831 gallons per person (including biofuels). Over half of that petroleum consumption consisted of motor gasoline usage, followed by distillate fuel oil (including diesel). Almost all the transportation fuel used in the state that year consisted of petroleum products.
Approximately 8.5% of Missouri households use another petroleum product, propane, to heat their homes. Propane is also used to dry corn. Less than one percent of in-state power generation came from petroleum products in 2024.
More Information
• Oil and Gas Resources
• Oil and Petroleum Products Explained – U.S. Energy Information Administration
• Missouri State Profile and Energy Estimates – U.S. Energy Information Administration
• Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association (MPCA)
• Missouri Propane Education and Research Council (MOPERC)