British oil stocks and flame defenses

How much oil did Britain have available during the Second World War?

Britain entered the war with large stocks built up from prewar planning, enough that fuel could be reserved for flame defenses on threatened beaches as well as normal military use.

Britain prepared beach flame defenses against Operation Sea Lion. Oil held for this purpose was unavailable for routine fleet and transport consumption, so reserving it indicates both substantial stocks and the priority given to home defense. The example does not mean fuel was unlimited; it shows how prewar accumulation supported a specific emergency plan.