Frequently Asked Questions
How much petroleum does the United States import and from where?
The U.S. imported approximately 11.4 million barrels per day of petroleum in 2011 from about 80 countries. We also exported 2.9 MMbd of crude oil and petroleum products, so our net imports (imports minus exports) equaled 8.4 MMbd. The net imports accounted for 45% of the petroleum consumed in the United States, the lowest annual average since 1995.
"Petroleum" includes crude oil and refined petroleum products like gasoline and biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. In 2011, about 79% of gross petroleum imports were crude oil, and about 60% of the crude oil processed in U.S. refineries was imported.
The top five source countries of U.S. petroleum imports in 2011, were Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Nigeria. Their respective rankings vary depending on whether you consider total/gross petroleum imports or net petroleum imports (gross imports minus exports). Net imports from OPEC countries accounted for 52% of U.S. net imports.
Top Sources of Imported Petroleum to the United States in 2011 In Million Barrels per Day (and Percent Share of Total Imports) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Import Sources | Gross Imports | Exports to Import Source | Net Imports |
Total, All Countries | 11.360 | 2.924 | 8.436 |
OPEC Countries | 4.534 (40%) | 0.126 | 4.408 (52%) |
Persian Gulf Countries | 1.862 (16%) | 0.019 | 1.843 (22%) |
Top Five Countries | |||
Canada | 2.706 (24%) | 0.295 | 2.411 (29%) |
Mexico | 1.205 (11%) | 0.569 | 0.636 (8%) |
Saudi Arabia | 1.195 (11%) | 0.002 | 1.193 (14%) |
Venezuela | 0.944 (8%) | 0.032 | 0.912 (11%) |
Nigeria | 0.817 (7%) | 0.015 | 0.802 (10%) |
Learn more:
- How dependent is the United States on foreign oil?
- Measuring U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil: The What, Where, and When Factors
- U.S. Oil Import Dependence: Declining no matter how you measure it
- 2011 Year in Review (of Petroleum Markets)
- Refining Crude Oil: Inputs & Outputs
- Petroleum Overview graphs and data from the Monthly Energy Review
- U.S. imports of Nigerian crude oil have continued to decline in 2012
- Detailed historical data on imports and exports
1Based on net petroleum imports; preliminary data.
Last updated: July 16, 2012
Other FAQs about Crude Oil
- Do we have enough oil worldwide to meet our future needs?
- Does EIA have data on U.S. oil refineries and their locations?
- Does EIA have data on the movement of crude oil and ethanol by rail and truck?
- Does EIA have data on the type or quality of crude oil processed in U.S. refineries?
- Does EIA have maps or information on the location of natural gas and oil pipelines?
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- What are the differences between various types of crude oil prices?
- What are the products and uses of petroleum?
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- What countries are the top world oil net importers?
- What countries are the top world oil producers?
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- When was the last refinery built in the United States?
- Where is the boundary for state and federal offshore oil and gas production?
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- Why is the United States exporting gasoline when prices are so high?