Natural Resources in Denmark

Oil, natural gas, gravel, sand, limestone, chalk, clay and salt are some of the natural resources which can be found in the Danish underground.

Danish companies as well as large international corporations help extracting the natural resources. Crude oil and natural gas is found in the Danish territories of the North Sea. Other natural resources like gravel, chalk, limestone and clay is found in the Danish underground. Furthermore Denmark seeks to exploit green energy sources like wind, water and sun. 

Denmark is self-sufficient in oil 

The crude oil extracted from the Danish oil fields in the North Sea is about 10 billion liters a year. This makes Denmark self-sufficient in oil. Denmark is not a major oil exporter. Seen on an international scale the annual production of oil is not large. However you should remember that Denmark is a relatively small country.

Natural gas

Natural gas from the North Sea is used for heating of Danish homes and for production of electricity and heat by power plants. Denmark is also self-sufficient in natural gas.

Limestone, chalk and clay

Faxe Kalk extracts limestone from a large quarry near Fakse. Chalk and clay are also extracted from the Danish underground and is sold to both Danish and foreign companies.

Sand and gravel

Sand and gravel is also extracted. Sand and gravel is mainly used in the construction industry.

Salt

Formerly salt was extracted and sold in large quantities. Today the salt extracted in Denmark is mainly used for health products. The process of extracting salt is now also shown as a tourist attraction e.g. on Læsø.

Wind, water and solar energy

Denmark is at the forefront in the use of green energy sources. Therefore you will find windmills all over the country. To some extent also water and sun are being exploited as sources of energy.

Energy supply

The largest Danish energy supplier DONG Energy uses energy sources as oil, natural gas and wind. However coal is also imported and used in the power plants for heat and electricity production. Denmark does not have any nuclear power plants, but is instead focusing on using and developing more green energy solutions in the future.

Fuel trading

Fuel trading is a major industry. Most filling stations in Denmark are own by international oil companies. However the Danish energy company OK has over 680 filling stations in Denmark making them one of the largest petrol fuel provides in Denmark. 

The sale of fuel to the shipping industry is also a major business in Denmark. This trade is known as bunker trading. Some of the world's largest shipping companies have their headquarters in Denmark. Danish bunker trading companies are seeking to take advantage of this. Bunker trading companies like United Shipping & Trading Company and Wrist Group are in terms of turnover among the 20 largest companies in Denmark.

Trading with jet fuel, fuel oil, gas oil, heat oil, petrol and other fuels and oils are also lucrative businesses in Denmark.