Universal Converter

barrel

bbl exact

Petroleum barrel = 42 US gallons = 0.158 987 294 928 m^3 exactly. A pure VOLUME unit; it does NOT 'contain' any fixed energy without a fuel + density + heating value. Distinct from 'boe' (rulebook C.3, D.4).

Definition

Dimension: Volume
Symbols: bbl, barrel
System: US
Base factor: ×0.158987294928
Exactness: exact

Follows from an SI or definitional identity — no material assumption.

Also known as

oil barrelpetroleum barrelbarrelsbblbblsbl

Sources

Common conversions

for 1 bbl

milliliter	158,987	mL	exact
liter	158.987	L	exact
cubic meter	0.158987	m³	exact
US gallon	42	US gal	exact
imperial gallon	34.9723	imp gal	exact
cubic foot	5.61458	ft³	exact

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What is a barrel? The oil barrel is a volume unit: exactly 42 US gallons. Its energy content is a separate, estimated quantity.Barrel vs boe A physical barrel is a volume; a “barrel of oil equivalent” (boe) is a fixed energy convention. They are not the same thing.