Crude Oil Currency Guide: How to Get and Use All Currencies

Introduction to Crude Oil Currencies

Crude Oil features a multi-tier currency system that fuels your progression as a sentient puddle of oil. Understanding how to earn and spend each type is critical to escaping the oil tycoons and growing into an unstoppable sludge. This guide breaks down every currency in the game, from common coins to rare prestige points, and provides strategies for efficient farming.

Coins: The Primary Currency

Coins are the most common currency in Crude Oil, dropped by enemies, found in breakable objects, and awarded for completing levels. You can use coins at vending machines and upgrade stations scattered throughout the campaign.

How to earn coins efficiently:

• Smash barrels and crates in every level — they often contain 10-25 coins each.
• Defeat elite enemies for bonus coin drops (50-100 coins per kill).
• Replay early levels on higher difficulty settings to farm coins quickly.

Best early-game purchases:

• Oil Capacity Upgrade (500 coins) — lets you absorb more oil before needing to spend it.
• Bounce Amplifier (300 coins) — increases your jump height, essential for reaching hidden areas.

Scrap Metal: Crafting and Upgrades

Scrap Metal is a rarer currency used for crafting vehicle parts and permanent stat boosts. You'll find it in hidden caches, from dismantling machinery, and as rare drops from boss enemies.

Scrap Metal sources:

• Disassemble broken vehicles using the "Scavenge" ability (unlocked at level 10).
• Complete side missions marked with a gear icon on the map.
• Trade 100 coins for 1 scrap at certain merchants (limited per chapter).

Spending priorities:

1. Heavy Chassis (15 scrap) — unlocks new paths.
2. Oil Slick Treads (10 scrap) — improves vehicle traction on slippery surfaces.
3. Reinforced Bumper (8 scrap) — reduces damage when ramming enemies.

Prestige Points: Endgame Currency

Prestige Points are earned by resetting your progress through the Prestige system. Each reset grants points based on your total oil collected and chapters completed. These points unlock permanent bonuses that carry over to new playthroughs.

How prestige works:

• You can prestige after completing Chapter 6 for the first time.
• Each prestige resets your level, coins, and scrap, but keeps Prestige Points and unlocked cosmetics.
• The cost to unlock prestige upgrades increases with each tier.

1. Step 1: Prepare for Prestige

   Farm at least 5,000 total oil collected and complete all side missions in Chapters 1-6. This maximizes your Prestige Point payout.

2. Step 2: Spend All Coins and Scrap

   Before resetting, dump all coins into capacity upgrades and scrap into vehicle parts. These do not carry over, so use them wisely.

3. Step 3: Activate Prestige

   Visit the Prestige Terminal in the Hub area. Confirm your reset to earn points based on your progress.

Best prestige upgrades:

• "Oil Magnet" (5 points) — automatically attracts nearby oil droplets.
• "Scrap Sensor" (3 points) — highlights scrap locations on the minimap.
• "Coin Cascade" (8 points) — enemies drop 20% more coins.

Special Currencies: Energy Cells and Biofuel

Energy Cells are found exclusively in the "Pollution Pits" challenge mode. They unlock cosmetic skins for your oil puddle and vehicles. Biofuel is a limited currency earned during special events or by completing daily challenges.

Energy Cells:

• Earn 1-3 cells per challenge tier completed.
• Used to buy unique skins like "Neon Spill" or "Toxic Waste."
• No cap — you can stockpile them indefinitely.

Biofuel:

• Earn 10 biofuel per daily challenge (up to 3 per day).
• Spend at the Event Shop for time-limited upgrades and cosmetics.
• Unused biofuel converts to coins at the end of each event (1 biofuel = 50 coins).

Currency Farming Strategies

Combine multiple farming methods to accelerate your progression in Crude Oil. Here are the most effective strategies for each stage of the game.

Pro tip: The "Scrap Sensor" upgrade pays for itself quickly. Once unlocked, you'll find 50% more scrap per playthrough, reducing the grind significantly.

Common Currency Mistakes to Avoid

New players often waste currencies on low-value items. Avoid these pitfalls to stay ahead in Crude Oil.

Don't spend coins on cosmetic skins until you've maxed your capacity upgrades. Cosmetics are purely visual and don't affect gameplay.

Avoid buying scrap with coins at standard merchants — the 100:1 ratio is terrible. Only use this option if you're one scrap short for a critical upgrade.

Never prestige without spending all resources. Coins and scrap lost to reset are gone forever. Always empty your wallet before using the Prestige Terminal.

Don't ignore Biofuel events. Even if you don't like the cosmetic rewards, convert biofuel to coins at the end — it's free money.