Top 10 Best Oil and Gas Companies in Salford

Oil and Gas in a Transitioning Economy

Salford's industrial heritage is closely tied to energy. The Manchester Ship Canal, which runs along the city's southern edge, has carried fuel and petrochemicals for more than a century, linking the region to the refineries and chemical works of Ellesmere Port and Runcorn. Today, natural gas still heats most Salford homes, fuel powers vehicles on the M60 and M602, and industrial users depend on reliable supplies of oil and gas products.

At the same time, the sector is evolving rapidly, investing in hydrogen, carbon capture and lower-carbon fuels. Here are ten oil and gas companies with significant influence on energy supply in Salford.

The Top 10 Oil and Gas Companies

1. Cadent Gas

Cadent owns and operates the gas distribution network serving the North West, including Salford. It maintains the pipes that deliver gas to homes and businesses and responds to gas emergencies. Cadent is also leading hydrogen projects designed to decarbonise the network.

2. EET Fuels

Formerly Essar Oil UK, EET Fuels operates the Stanlow refinery at Ellesmere Port, one of the UK's largest refineries, supplying a significant share of road fuels used in the North West. It is investing heavily in hydrogen and carbon capture as part of the HyNet North West cluster.

3. Centrica

Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, is one of the UK's largest energy companies, supplying gas to millions of homes and investing in gas storage, trading and low-carbon technologies.

4. Shell

Shell operates forecourts across Salford and supplies fuels, lubricants and energy products. It is also investing in EV charging, biofuels and low-carbon solutions.

5. BP

BP runs a large network of service stations and supplies fuels, lubricants through its Castrol brand and EV charging through its pulse network.

6. Esso

Esso, part of ExxonMobil, supplies fuel to forecourts across Greater Manchester and provides fuels and lubricants to industrial and commercial users.

7. INEOS

INEOS operates major chemical and energy facilities in the North West, including at Runcorn, and is involved in hydrogen production and industrial gas supply.

8. Certas Energy

Certas Energy is one of the UK's largest fuel distributors, supplying heating oil, diesel, lubricants and fuel cards to businesses, farms and households across the North West.

9. Calor Gas

Calor supplies liquefied petroleum gas to homes and businesses off the gas grid, as well as for catering, forklifts and leisure use, and is developing renewable LPG.

10. Flogas

Flogas provides LPG, natural gas and electricity to businesses and homes, with a growing focus on lower-carbon alternatives such as bioLPG.

The Role of Oil and Gas Today

Natural gas remains the primary heating fuel for most homes in Salford, although heat pumps and district heating are gradually taking over in new developments. Road fuels continue to power the majority of vehicles, while diesel and lubricants are essential to logistics, construction and manufacturing. Industrial gases support everything from food processing to healthcare.

The Energy Transition and Hydrogen

The North West is home to HyNet, one of the UK's leading industrial decarbonisation projects. It aims to produce low-carbon hydrogen, capture carbon dioxide from industrial sites and store it beneath Liverpool Bay. Companies such as EET Fuels, Cadent and INEOS are central to this effort, which could eventually supply hydrogen to industrial users across Greater Manchester.

Biofuels, renewable LPG and EV charging are also reshaping traditional business models, as oil and gas companies adapt to a lower-carbon future.

Choosing a Fuel or Gas Supplier

For businesses, consider reliability of supply, delivery options, pricing structures and support with sustainability reporting. Fuel cards can help fleet operators manage costs and track usage. For households off the gas grid, compare LPG and heating oil prices and explore renewable alternatives. Always use registered engineers for gas appliance installation and servicing.

Industry Trends

Carbon capture and storage is moving from planning to construction in the North West. Gas networks are trialling hydrogen blending, while fuel retailers expand EV charging hubs. Price volatility and energy security remain priorities for policymakers, and skills from the oil and gas sector are increasingly transferring to renewable and hydrogen projects.

Conclusion

Oil and gas companies continue to underpin energy supply for Salford's homes, vehicles and industries, while investing in the technologies that will define a lower-carbon future. Understanding the key players helps businesses and residents make informed decisions about energy today and plan for the changes ahead.