The Netherlands is a major importer of crude oil, partly as a result of the petrochemical complex located here and its transit function for all of northwestern Europe. Worldwide, 34 billion barrels of crude oil are produced annually. Approximately 1.2% of this is imported by the Netherlands for domestic processing and consumption.
On average, about 80% of total greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum occur during combustion of the product. The remainder of the emissions occur in the upstream chain (extraction, transport to the Netherlands) and during refining. In contrast to combustion, upstream emissions vary widely among oil types. In terms of total greenhouse emissions (well-to-wheel), it therefore matters which crude oil provides the basis for the product.
This report describes the origin of crude oil imported into the Netherlands and the associated upstream and transport emissions (in kg CO2 per barrel of crude oil).