Sample Detail

The line chart illustrates the production levels of three principal fuels in the United Kingdom from 1981 to 2000. Overall, while petroleum and natural gas witnessed an upward shift during the period, coal experienced a downward trend at different levels, ending as the least-produced fuel. In particular, petroleum emerged as the most common fuel at all times. Starting at 80 and nearly 40 million tonnes in 1981 respectively, coal and natural gas displayed a reverse pattern. Natural gas grew marginally from nearly 40 to about 50 million tonnes in 1991, after which it rose significantly to roughly 70 million tonnes in 1994 and ended with 100 million tonnes in 2000. Meanwhile, coal decreased slightly during the first two years before plummeting to approximately 30 million tonnes in 1984. From 1984 to 1986, it climbed considerably to 60 million tonnes and remained stable for the following three years. Afterwards, this fossil fuel declined steadily to just 40 million tonnes at the end, which was the lowest figure after being overtaken by natural gas. Despite fluctuating considerably throughout the 19-year period, petroleum was still the dominant fuel. The figure for petroleum stood out at 90 million tonnes initially, then oscillated between 100 and 140 million tonnes from 1981 to 1996. Since then, it fluctuated in a narrower range of between 140 and 150 million tonnes, which ultimately finished at about 140 million tonnes of oil in 2000.