Top 10 Best Oil and Gas Companies in Mid Devon

Oil and Gas in Rural Mid Devon

A large proportion of homes, farms and businesses in Mid Devon are not connected to the mains gas network. In villages around Bampton, Crediton, Uffculme and the Exe and Culm valleys, heating oil and liquefied petroleum gas remain essential for heating, cooking and powering agricultural machinery. Farms rely on red diesel alternatives and gas oil for equipment, while businesses use fuel cards to manage vehicle fleets travelling along the M5 and A361.

Although the long-term transition towards renewable energy is under way, reliable fuel supply remains critical for the district today. The companies below are trusted for their service, safety standards and coverage across Mid Devon.

1. Certas Energy

Certas Energy is the UK's largest distributor of fuels and lubricants, supplying heating oil, diesel, gas oil and lubricants to homes, farms and businesses. Its extensive depot network ensures reliable deliveries across Devon, including remote rural locations.

2. Watson Fuels

Watson Fuels supplies heating oil, agricultural fuels, diesel and lubricants across England and Wales. It is known for responsive deliveries and supports many farms and rural households in the South West.

3. Calor Gas

Calor is the UK's leading supplier of LPG, providing bulk tank and bottled gas for off-grid homes, farms, holiday parks and businesses. Many Mid Devon properties rely on Calor for heating, hot water and cooking.

4. Flogas

Flogas supplies LPG to domestic, commercial and agricultural customers, along with natural gas and electricity to businesses. Its bulk LPG service is popular with rural Mid Devon customers seeking an alternative to heating oil.

5. Wales and West Utilities

Wales and West Utilities operates the gas distribution network serving the South West, including Mid Devon. It maintains pipes and infrastructure, responds to gas emergencies and is investing in hydrogen readiness for the future of the network.

6. Shell

Shell is one of the world's largest energy companies, supplying fuels, lubricants and EV charging through its forecourt network. Its fuel cards and lubricant products are widely used by Mid Devon businesses and fleet operators.

7. BP

BP supplies fuels through forecourts across Devon and is expanding its EV charging network. Its fleet solutions and lubricant brands are used by transport and agricultural businesses throughout the district.

8. Esso

Esso, part of ExxonMobil, operates a large network of forecourts in the UK and provides fuels and lubricants for road, agricultural and industrial use. Its fuel cards help businesses control costs and reporting.

9. Crown Oil

Crown Oil is a national fuel supplier delivering diesel, heating oil, HVO renewable diesel and lubricants. Its HVO supply is increasingly popular among Mid Devon businesses seeking lower-carbon fuel without replacing equipment.

10. Valero

Valero operates Texaco-branded forecourts across the UK and supplies fuels to independent retailers. Many rural filling stations in Devon rely on its supply network to serve local communities.

Trends in the Fuel and Gas Sector

The sector is evolving as the UK moves towards net zero. HVO, a renewable diesel made from waste oils, is growing in popularity as a drop-in replacement for heating oil and diesel. LPG suppliers are introducing bioLPG blends to reduce emissions. Gas network operators are preparing infrastructure for hydrogen blending. Meanwhile, rising interest in heat pumps is gradually changing rural heating, but oil and LPG remain essential for many properties during the transition.

How to Choose a Fuel Supplier

Compare prices regularly, as heating oil costs can fluctuate. Consider joining a local oil buying group to secure better rates. Look for suppliers with reliable delivery coverage in your area, clear safety standards and flexible payment plans. For businesses, fuel cards and telemetry tank monitoring can help manage usage and avoid running out.

Safety and Storage Best Practice

Safe storage is essential for anyone using heating oil or LPG. Oil tanks should be inspected regularly for signs of damage, corrosion or leaks, and many older single-skin tanks are now being replaced with bunded tanks that provide secondary containment. This protects both the property and the environment, which is particularly important in Mid Devon where many homes and farms are close to rivers and streams that feed the Exe and Culm.

LPG tanks are usually owned and maintained by the supplier, who will carry out safety checks and ensure the installation meets regulations. Homeowners should keep the area around tanks clear, know how to isolate the supply and have heating appliances serviced annually by qualified engineers. Carbon monoxide alarms are a simple, low-cost safeguard for any property using fuel-burning appliances. Security measures such as tank alarms and locks can also deter heating oil theft, which affects rural properties during periods of high prices.

Final Thoughts

For rural Mid Devon, dependable fuel supply is essential to daily life and business. By choosing reputable oil and gas providers, and exploring lower-carbon options as they become available, residents and businesses can stay warm, productive and prepared for the future.