by katharine_nellist@hotmail.co.uk | Oct 14, 2025 | News
By Andrew Wells, October 14 2025
Global News: Why World Affairs Are Driving Heating Oil Prices This Autumn
Oil prices have steadied in recent weeks thanks to signs of a fragile ceasefire deal in the Middle East. The truce between Israel and Hamas has cooled global tensions and reduced the risk premium that often pushes up crude oil prices during conflict.
Reuters reports that Brent crude has fallen to some of its lowest levels in months, helped by both easing tensions and increased oil production from OPEC+.
However, energy experts at Portland Fuel and the International Energy Agency (IEA) caution that the situation remains highly fluid. Even a single escalation or disruption in key shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz could quickly reverse this trend.
Meanwhile, global production remains strong. OPEC+ nations have raised output targets, and analysts expect a market surplus into 2026. While this should keep oil prices relatively stable for now, ongoing instability in the Middle East could still bring short-term spikes.
Local News: What This Means for Heating Oil Users in North Yorkshire
For homeowners across Ripon, Harrogate, Boroughbridge, Thirsk, and rural North Yorkshire, these global movements affect the price you pay for your next tank of domestic heating oil.
Here’s how world events translate closer to home:
- Weather is no longer the biggest factor – Global politics and supply routes now move prices faster than the forecast ever could.
- Prices are currently favourable – The combination of strong supply and lower global risk has kept heating oil prices at some of the most competitive levels of 2025.
- Timing matters – Ordering before winter demand picks up can save you money and guarantee delivery slots before they fill up.
At Yorkshire Oils, we’re monitoring global developments daily to help our customers make informed decisions. Whether peace talks continue or tensions return, our advice is simple:
If your tank is around a quarter full, now’s a good time to top up.
How to Stay Ahead
- Order early – avoid winter price peaks and last minute delivery delays. We recommend topping up when your tank is 25-40% full
- Stay informed – understand what drives oil prices. Follow Yorkshire Oils on Facebook, LinkedIn, read the news here or subscribe to our mailing list with the contact form on our homepage.
- Support local – local suppliers prioritise local deliveries and we deliver heating oil with reliable service to customers right across North Yorkshire
If global prices shift again, you’ll hear it here first. We’ll continue sharing updates from Portland Fuel, Reuters, and the BBC, translated into plain English so you know exactly what it means for your household budget.
In Summary
While oil markets are calmer this month thanks to progress in the Middle East, uncertainty remains. Global supply looks healthy, but peace talks are delicate and a single flashpoint could bring volatility back overnight.
For now, North Yorkshire households can benefit from stable, competitive home heating oil prices, but the smart move is to act early, avoid the winter rush, and lock in the current rate.
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by katharine_nellist@hotmail.co.uk | Jun 2, 2025 | News
By Andrew Wells, June 2 2025
Latest news in the UK oil distribution sector
The UK fuel distribution sector continues to experience significant consolidation:
- NWF Group plc has acquired Northern Energy Oil Ltd, a 42-million-litre distributor operating across North Yorkshire, Northumbria, and Lincolnshire. This £8.3 million acquisition includes Kettlewell Fuels, an independent distributor based near Ripon.
- Standard Fuel Oils Ltd, based in Liverpool, expanded its reach in Northern England by acquiring Solo Petroleum Ltd, a family-run distributor in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
Yorkshire Oils remains local and independent
In a time when many fuel distributors are merging into national chains, Yorkshire Oils stands proudly as one of the last remaining independent, family-run oil distribution businesses in the region. For over 40 years, we’ve been delivering reliable, personal service to homes, farms, and businesses across North and West Yorkshire.
While others are growing bigger, we’re staying true to our roots, locally owned, locally operated, and focused on you. We know the communities we serve because we live here too. That means when you ring us, you speak to someone who understands your needs, not a call centre miles away.
At Yorkshire Oils, we’re more than just fuel—we’re part of your community. Whether it’s a top-up for the tank, emergency deliveries in a cold snap, or simply some friendly advice, we’re here for you.
Call us on: 01423 396789
Send a WhatsApp: 07872 079223
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by katharine_nellist@hotmail.co.uk | Mar 3, 2025 | News
By Andrew Wells, March 3 2025
As we move through the early months of 2025, we wanted to keep you updated on the latest developments in the global oil markets, as well as the impact of geopolitical tensions on heating oil prices. By understanding these factors we hope to help you navigate your heating oil purchases with greater clarity.
Current Oil Prices: A Modest Recovery
Global oil prices have seen a modest gain in recent weeks. This rise is largely due to optimistic data emerging from China, where manufacturing activity has shown signs of growth, boosting expectations for increased global demand for energy.
China, being the world’s largest importer of oil, plays a significant role in influencing price movements. Strong manufacturing figures from February 2025 have provided hope that the Chinese economy is recovering, which, in turn, should support demand for fuel.
Geopolitical Tensions and Their Impact
However, despite this positive outlook, the broader oil market remains under pressure, mainly due to ongoing geopolitical risks. In particular, tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine and other regional uncertainties continue to create volatility in energy markets.
The potential for increased tariffs on Chinese imports by the U.S. also adds another layer of uncertainty, further contributing to market instability. These ongoing geopolitical events are unpredictable, and they can lead to sudden fluctuations in oil prices, which may be felt in the form of higher heating oil costs.
What Does This Mean for You?
For our buying club members, this means it’s important to stay informed and consider placing heating oil orders in advance when possible, especially during periods of price stability or when prices dip slightly.
At Yorkshire Oils, we are committed to keeping you updated on developments and will continue to work hard to secure the best possible prices for our members in these volatile times. By pooling our orders, we can help mitigate the impact of price spikes and ensure that everyone has access to affordable home heating oil, even when the market is unpredictable.
Looking Ahead
As always, we will keep you posted on any significant changes to the oil market and inform you of the best times to purchase oil.
Please feel free to contact Andrew or Angie with any questions or concerns. We’re here to support you and ensure that your home remains warm and your oil costs manageable.
by katharine_nellist@hotmail.co.uk | Jun 3, 2024 | News
By Andrew Wells, May 24, 2024
As you are now aware an election has been called in the UK for July 4th.
There will be a short parliamentary wash up where any undecided legislation is agreed to be waived through (or not). This unfortunately does not include consultations. Therefore, we are going to have to wait until a new government comes in to see progress on the Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation.
Please read the following statement from UKIFDA, the industry body for liquid fuels and OFTEC:
“As the General Election campaign begins, the parties and their candidates standing across the UK’s rural seats must look to the issues that truly matter to rural voters and the challenges they face. This includes how rural communities will heat their homes and how government can give them choice about how best they can decarbonise their home heating.
“Whatever party is victorious, they will inherit an uncertain economic situation and a need to prioritise policy changes that are possible given this outlook. This must include:
“Delivering on the commitments parliament made to the UK’s 1.7 million off-grid households in passing the Energy Act, which included providing them the opportunity to use renewable liquid fuels – through a Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation – which will make the fuel affordable.
“Addressing the unequal tax treatment for renewable liquid fuels, which reduces the cost to consumers for their use in transport but not for home heating. Scrapping this duty, at no cost to the taxpayer, would incentivise rural off-grid households to switch to renewable liquid fuels.
“In this election rural off-grid households now must have the certainty they need to be able to choose how best they can make their contribution to achieving net zero. We stand ready to work with the next government to make that a reality”.
by katharine_nellist@hotmail.co.uk | Jan 25, 2024 | News
By Andrew Wells, 25 January 2024
It is interesting to see that the cost of home heating oil still fairs well on price comparatively to gas, LPG, air source heat pumps and electricity. Although it can be perceived as volatile and is prone to spikes when impacted by world events, but oil has been moderately steady in the last 12 months.
The two tables above provided to industry body UKIFDA by Sutherland Tables (an established source of independent and impartial information on domestic heating costs) demonstrate these yearly figures.
Do give us a call to discuss your oil deliveries, topping up your tank or subscribing to MonthlyPay, our monthly direct debit payment scheme.
Call Andrew or Ange on 01423 396789
