Top 10 Best Oil and Gas Companies in Forest of Dean

Oil and Gas in a Rural District

The Forest of Dean has a rich industrial heritage built on coal, iron and stone, but today its relationship with fossil fuels is mostly about supply rather than extraction. A significant number of homes, farms and businesses in the district are not connected to the mains gas network. Instead, they depend on heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas and bottled gas for warmth, hot water and cooking. Agricultural businesses need red diesel alternatives and fuels for machinery, while hauliers and commuters depend on forecourt fuel.

Reliable oil and gas suppliers are therefore essential to everyday life in the Forest, especially during cold winters when demand peaks and rural roads can be challenging. This guide highlights ten oil and gas companies that serve the Forest of Dean, from regional fuel distributors to national energy brands.

What to Expect from a Fuel Supplier

Good fuel suppliers offer competitive pricing, reliable delivery windows and flexible payment options such as monthly budget plans. Many provide tank monitoring and automatic top-up services, preventing run-outs. Emergency deliveries are valuable during winter cold snaps. Suppliers should also advise on safe storage, tank maintenance and compliance with oil storage regulations, which help prevent spills that could harm the Forest's rivers and woodland.

The Top 10 Oil and Gas Companies Serving the Forest of Dean

1. Shire Fuels

Shire Fuels provides domestic heating oil deliveries across the Forest of Dean and wider Gloucestershire. It is known for friendly service, competitive prices and dependable deliveries to rural addresses. Households across Coleford, Cinderford and surrounding villages rely on its local knowledge of narrow lanes and remote properties.

2. Callow Gas

Callow Gas supplies bulk and bottled LPG to homes and businesses throughout Gloucestershire. LPG is a popular choice for off-grid properties, offering clean-burning heating and cooking fuel. The company's regional focus allows it to provide responsive service and personal account management.

3. Chepstow Fuels

Chepstow Fuels offers bottled gas delivery throughout the Forest of Dean, including large cylinders used for LPG central heating systems. Its location just across the Wye makes it well placed to serve southern Forest communities such as Lydney, Bream and St Briavels.

4. Certas Energy

Certas Energy is one of the UK's largest distributors of fuels and lubricants, supplying heating oil, diesel, gas oil and lubricants to homes, farms and businesses. Its national scale provides supply resilience, while regional depots ensure deliveries to rural areas including the Forest of Dean.

5. Flogas

Flogas is a leading LPG supplier in Britain, providing bulk tanks, cylinders and commercial gas solutions. It supplies homes, farms, caravan parks and businesses that are off the gas grid. Its tank telemetry and automatic top-up services help customers avoid running out during busy winter periods.

6. Calor Gas

Calor is one of the best-known LPG brands in the UK, with a network of retailers supplying cylinders to rural homes, campsites and businesses. Its bulk LPG service supports off-grid heating, while its bottled gas is widely used for cooking, outdoor heating and leisure in the tourism-rich Forest.

7. Dean Gas Services

Dean Gas Services is a local business providing installation, maintenance and servicing of gas and heating systems. While not a fuel supplier, it plays an important role in ensuring LPG and gas appliances operate safely and efficiently, giving Forest households peace of mind.

8. Shell

Shell is one of the world's largest integrated energy companies and operates fuel stations across the UK, including on routes serving the Forest of Dean. Beyond fuel retail, it supplies lubricants, aviation fuel and is investing in electric vehicle charging and low-carbon energy.

9. bp

bp is a major British energy company with a long history in oil and gas exploration and production. Its forecourts and fuel cards serve motorists and fleets across Gloucestershire. bp is also expanding EV charging through bp pulse and developing renewable projects as part of its energy transition plans.

10. Esso

Esso, the UK brand of ExxonMobil, supplies fuel through an extensive forecourt network, including stations along routes into and around the Forest. Its fuels are widely used by local commuters, tradespeople and logistics firms that travel between the Forest, Gloucester and South Wales.

How to Choose a Fuel Supplier

Compare prices regularly, as heating oil prices can change frequently. Join a local oil buying group to benefit from bulk discounts. Ask about delivery lead times, minimum order quantities and emergency options. For LPG, check contract terms, tank rental charges and whether you own or lease your tank. Ensure your supplier can offer advice on safe storage and regular tank inspections.

Businesses should look for fuel cards, consolidated invoicing and lubricant supply as part of their arrangement. Farms may benefit from suppliers experienced in agricultural fuels and bunded storage solutions.

Trends in Oil and Gas Supply

The energy transition is reshaping the sector. Hydrotreated vegetable oil is emerging as a lower-carbon alternative to heating oil and diesel, and some suppliers already offer it. BioLPG, made from renewable feedstocks, is being blended into LPG supplies. Government policy is encouraging off-grid homes to switch to heat pumps over time, while major oil companies are investing in EV charging and renewables. Nonetheless, reliable fuel delivery remains essential for rural communities for the foreseeable future.

Final Thoughts

For many Forest of Dean households and businesses, oil and gas suppliers are a lifeline, particularly in winter. The companies in this guide combine local knowledge with national resilience. By comparing prices, planning deliveries and exploring lower-carbon fuel options, Forest residents can stay warm and operational while preparing for a cleaner energy future.