While energy costs vary widely among petroleum products, they can be substantial in some cases, accounting for up to 85% of production costs. In 1998, the industry spent about $4.5 billion on purchased energy, $2.2 billion of which was spent on natural gas. [MECS 1998] This does not include the value of energy produced onsite, which could be more than $9 billion. [DOE 1998]

Energy Expenditures – 1998 (NAICS 324 Petroleum & Coal Products)
(Million Dollars)



Total: $4.482 billion

Source: MECS 1998

NOTE: These estimates are open-market expenditures and exclude transfers of energy sources from other establishments inside a company. The original purchase, as done by the establishment from which the transfer is made, may not be covered by the MECS.