UK: TOP 10 Mining, Oil and Gas Companies with Highest Sales

According to our database (as of February 2023), a total of more than 7.4M businesses operate in the UK. Only 3.1% of them (more than 233 thousand) operate in Mining, Oil, and Gas. These companies have a share of 4.5% of all sales generated by UK-based businesses and employ 4.5% of all employees in the UK. The TOP 10 Mining, Oil, and Gas companies in the UK generated GBP 582B in sales in 2021 - the largest company, Shell, was responsible for 36% of the total.

All data used below is available in individual companies’ annual reports.

Shell plc had the highest sales in 2021

Shell plc was first with reported sales of GBP 209B in 2021 (GBP 68B more than the year before). It is a global energy company that operates in over 70 countries and focuses on exploration, production, refining, and distribution of oil and gas.

BP p.l.c. was second with GBP 125.8B in sales (in 2020 it was GBP 83.6B). It is a multinational oil and gas company that operates in over 70 countries and has a diverse portfolio of energy products  including oil, gas, and biofuels.

Glencore Energy UK Ltd was third with sales of GBP 55.5B (up from GBP 32.7B in 2020). It is a global commodity trading and mining company that operates in over 50 countries. Glencore Energy UK Ltd focuses on production and trading of metals, minerals, and energy products.

Rio Tinto plc was fourth with GBP 48B in sales in 2021 (an increase compared to GBP 33.8B the year before). Rio Tinto plc is a mining and metals company that operates in over 35 countries and focuses on aluminum, copper, diamonds, and iron ore.

BHP Group (UK) ltd was fifth with reported sales of GBP 44.2B (in 2020 it was GBP 31.2B). BHP Group (UK) ltd is a global company that operates in over 90 locations and produces various commodities including iron ore, copper, coal, and petroleum.

Unipec U.L. Co. Limited was sixth with GBP 37.3B in sales (an increase compared to GBP 24.5B the year before). Unipec U.L. Co. Limited is a subsidiary of China's largest oil and gas company, Sinopec, and is involved in trading and marketing of petroleum and petrochemical products.

Anglo American plc was seventh with GBP 30.6B in sales in 2021 (up from GBP 18.7B the year before). It is a mining company that operates in over 30 countries and focuses on various commodities including diamonds, copper, platinum, and iron ore.

Centrica plc was eighth with sales of GBP 14.7B (an increase of GBP 2.5B compared to 2020). It is a UK multinational energy company that provides energy and services to households and businesses in the UK and Ireland. They operate under several brands, including British Gas.

British Gas Trading Limited was ninth with GBP 9B in sales in 2021 (year-on-year increase of GBP 746M). It is a subsidiary of Centrica and is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers, providing gas and electricity to households and businesses.

EDF Energy Customers Limited was tenth with GBP 7.9B in sales (an increase of GBP 1.1B year-on-year). It is a UK-based energy company that provides electricity and gas to households and businesses. EDF Energy Customers Limited also focuses on renewable energy (wind and solar).  

Rio Tinto plc had the highest profit both before and after tax in 2021

Rio Tinto plc had the highest profit before tax in 2021 - GBP 23.3B (up from GBP 11.6B in 2020). Shell plc was second with GBP 22.7B. BHP Group (UK) ltd was third with GBP 17.9B. The top 3 companies were followed by Anglo American plc (GBP 13B), BP p.l.c. (GBP 11.7B), Centrica Plc (GBP 767M), Unipec U.L. Co. Limited (GBP 144.5M), and British Gas Trading Limited (GBP 122.4M). Two companies reported a loss: EDF Energy Customers Limited (GBP -102M) and Glencore Energy UK ltd (GBP -332M).

Rio Tinto plc also had the highest profit after tax - almost GBP 17.1B. Shell plc was second with GBP 15.8B. BHP Group (UK) ltd was third with almost GBP 9.8B. The top 3 companies were followed by Anglo American plc (GBP 8.6B), BP p.l.c. (GBP 6.5B), Centrica Plc (GBP 549M), British Gas Trading Limited (GBP 121.5M), and Unipec U.L. Co. Limited (GBP 116M). Two companies reported a loss: EDF Energy Customers Limited (GBP -79M) and Glencore Energy UK ltd (GBP -324.4M).