Frequently Asked Questions
How much petroleum does the United States import and export?
In 2015, the United States imported approximately 9.4 million barrels per day (MMb/d) of petroleum from about 88 countries. Petroleum includes crude oil, natural gas plant liquids, liquefied refinery gases, refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel, and biofuels including ethanol and biodiesel. About 78% of gross petroleum imports were crude oil.
In 2015, the United States exported about 4.7 MMb/d of petroleum to 147 countries. Most of the exports were petroleum products. The resulting net imports (imports minus exports) of petroleum were about 4.7 MMb/d.
The top five source countries of U.S. petroleum imports in 2015 were Canada, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia.
Top sources and amounts of U.S. petroleum imports (percent share of total), respective exports, and net imports, 2015 million barrels per day |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Import sources | Gross imports | Exports | Net imports |
Total, all countries | 9.45 | 4.74 | 4.71 |
OPEC countries | 2.89 (31%) | 0.24 | 2.65 |
Persian Gulf countries | 1.51 (16%) | 0.02 | 1.49 |
Top five countries1 | |||
Canada | 3.76 (40%) | 0.96 | 2.81 |
Saudi Arabia | 1.06 (11%) | 0.00 | 1.06 |
Venezuela | 0.83 (9%) | 0.07 | 0.75 |
Mexico | 0.76 (8%) | 0.69 | 0.07 |
Colombia | 0.40 (4%) | 0.17 | 0.22 |
1 Based on gross imports by country of origin.
The top five destination countries of U.S. petroleum exports in 2015, export volume, and share of total petroleum exports:
Canada—0.96 MMb/d—20%
Mexico—0.69 MMb/d—15%
Netherlands—0.23 MMb/d—5%
China—0.19 MMb/d —4%
Brazil—0.19 MMb/d —4%
Learn more:
How much oil consumed in the United States comes from foreign countries?
Petroleum (historical monthly and annual data for the United States)
Detailed historical data on U.S. petroleum imports and exports
Articles on U.S. petroleum production, imports, exports, and consumption
U.S. Oil Import Dependence: Declining no matter how you measure it
Measuring U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil: The What, Where, and When Factors
Last updated: October 4, 2016
Other FAQs about Crude Oil
- Does EIA have county-level energy production data?
- Does EIA have data on U.S. oil refineries and their locations?
- Does EIA have data on the movement of crude oil, ethanol, and biodiesel by rail and truck?
- Does EIA have data on the type or quality of crude oil?
- Does EIA have maps or information on the location of U.S. natural gas and oil pipelines?
- Does EIA have projections for energy production, consumption, and prices for individual states?
- Does the world have enough oil to meet our future needs?
- How many gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel are made from one barrel of oil?
- How much coal, natural gas, or petroleum is used to generate a kilowatthour of electricity?
- When was the last refinery built in the United States?
- How much of the oil produced in the United States is consumed in the United States?
- How much oil consumed by the United States comes from foreign countries?
- How much oil is consumed in the United States?
- How much oil is used to make plastic?
- How much petroleum does the United States import and export?
- How much shale (tight) oil is produced in the United States?
- What are petroleum products, and what is petroleum used for?
- What countries are the top net importers of oil?
- What do I pay for in a gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel?
- What is the difference between crude oil, petroleum products, and petroleum?
- What is the outlook for home heating fuel prices this winter?
- What types and amounts of energy are produced in each state?