Sylvie Willis
The United States has been a net exporter of fossil fuels since 2019, with exports increasing every year since 2002. In 2023, the US exported about 10.15 million barrels per day of petroleum to 173 countries and exported crude oil to the American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The US is now the largest exporter of methane gas and the fifth-largest exporter of oil in the world. Exports of liquified natural gas (LNG) have also increased, particularly to Europe, contributing to a 10% increase in total US natural gas exports in 2023. The US has been a net coal exporter since at least 1949, with coal exports increasing by about 15% in 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total energy exports since 2019 | Higher than total energy imports |
| Total energy imports in 2007 | Peaked |
| Crude oil imports in 2023 | 66% of total energy imports |
| Crude oil exports in 2023 | 29% of total energy exports |
| Crude oil exports in 2023 | 40% of total US gross petroleum exports |
| Petroleum product imports in 2023 | 18% of total annual US energy imports |
| Petroleum product exports in 2023 | 36% of total energy exports |
| Natural gas exports in 2023 | 26% of total US energy exports |
| Coal exports in 2023 | 8% of total energy exports |
| Net coal exporter since | 1949 |
| Primary energy exports in 2022 | 27.5 quadrillion Btu |
| Primary energy exports since 2002 | Increased every year |
| Net exporter of liquified natural gas | World's largest |
| World's largest exporter of methane gas | US |
| World's fifth-largest oil exporter | US |
| Petroleum and petroleum product exports in 2023 | 10.15 million barrels per day |
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What You'll Learn
Crude oil exports
The US sources its crude oil imports from various regions, including OPEC and the Persian Gulf. At the same time, the top five destinations for US crude oil exports in 2022 were not specified. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes data on the companies that import petroleum into the country, but the specific companies selling imported gasoline or refining imported oil are not always identifiable.
The increase in US crude oil exports is part of a broader trend in US energy exports. Since 2002, exports of primary energy, which includes crude oil, have been on the rise, reaching 27.5 quadrillion Btu (quads) in 2022. This trend has positioned the US as a positive net exporter of primary energy since 2019.
In summary, while the US remains a net importer of crude oil, its exports of crude oil and other petroleum products are significant and have been growing. The dynamics of the US crude oil market, influenced by factors such as fracking and global market integration, continue to shape the country's position in the global fossil fuel landscape.
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Natural gas exports
The United States has been a net exporter of natural gas since 2016, with exports generally increasing each year from 2000 to 2022. In 2022, total annual US natural gas exports reached a record high of 6.90 trillion cubic feet, with the US exporting natural gas to 46 countries. This was due to increased natural gas production, which lowered prices and made US natural gas more competitive internationally. The expansion of the natural gas pipeline network, particularly in the Permian Basin area of Texas, also contributed to the increase in exports.
The US is one of the top exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world, with LNG exports increasing substantially each year from 2016 to 2022. In 2022, about 44% of total US natural gas exports were by pipeline, with 68% going to Mexico and 32% to Canada. LNG exports exceeded pipeline natural gas exports for the second consecutive year in 2022.
In 2023, US natural gas exports reached another record high, accounting for about 26% of total US energy exports. This was partly due to a 10% increase in LNG exports, especially to Europe. Natural gas exports have contributed to the US becoming a net exporter of total energy since 2019, with total energy exports exceeding imports.
Natural gas has generated significant revenue for US oil producers. During the first half of 2021, production outages and increasing international demand for LNG caused the US natural gas benchmark spot price, Henry Hub, to triple in price, remaining above $5 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for an extended period. As a result, US oil producers reported higher revenue and increased cash flow from operating activities.
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Coal exports
The United States has been a net exporter of coal since at least 1949. In 2022, the US exported about 85.9 million short tons of coal to 71 countries, accounting for about 14% of US coal production. This figure is lower than the record high of 125.7 million short tons in 2012, which was about 12% of US coal production.
The US exports both steam coal and metallurgical coal. Steam coal, primarily used for electricity generation, accounted for 75% of total US coal imports in 2022. Metallurgical coal, used mainly for steel production, made up around 54% of total US coal exports in the same year.
In 2023, US coal exports increased by about 15% compared to the previous year, contributing to about 8% of total energy exports. This rise in exports, along with a 35% decrease in coal imports, resulted in the US maintaining its status as a net coal exporter.
While coal exports from the US have fluctuated over the years, the country has consistently exported more coal than it has imported. This trend aligns with the overall US energy landscape, where total energy exports have exceeded imports since 2019.
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Petroleum products
The US became a net exporter of petroleum for the first time since at least 1949 in 2020. In 2022, total petroleum exports were about 9.52 million b/d, while total petroleum imports were about 8.33 million b/d, making the US an annual net exporter of petroleum for the third consecutive year. Total net exports that year were about 1.19 million b/d.
Petroleum exports from the US include crude oil and refined petroleum products. Crude oil exports accounted for about 40% of total US gross petroleum exports in 2023. Refined petroleum products, such as gasoline and diesel fuel, are also significant exports for the US. In 2023, imports of petroleum products accounted for about 18% of total annual US energy imports and about 36% of total energy exports.
US domestic petroleum production includes field production of crude oil and natural gas liquids, renewable fuels, oxygenate plant net production, and refinery processing gains. The US has been a net total energy exporter since 2019, with total energy exports exceeding total energy imports. Exports of primary energy, which includes petroleum products, have increased every year since 2002, rising to 27.5 quadrillion Btu (quads) in 2022.
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LNG export terminals
The United States has been a net total energy exporter since 2019, with total energy exports exceeding total energy imports. Crude oil accounted for the largest percentage share of US total energy imports (66%) and about 29% of total energy exports in 2023. The US exported about 10.15 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum to 173 countries and three US territories in 2023. Crude oil exports of about 4.06 million b/d accounted for 40% of total US gross petroleum exports.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals play a crucial role in the US energy sector and its transition towards becoming a net energy exporter. LNG export terminals are facilities that primarily focus on processing and preparing natural gas for transportation and export to international markets. These terminals are often located in coastal areas, providing easy access to shipping routes.
There are more than 170 LNG facilities operating in the US, with some dedicated to exporting natural gas. These export terminals are typically regulated by federal agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which is responsible for authorizing the siting and construction of onshore and near-shore LNG export facilities. The regulatory process ensures the safe and efficient development of LNG infrastructure.
The operation of LNG export terminals involves several key steps. Firstly, natural gas is sourced from various production sites and transported through pipelines to the export terminal. The gas undergoes processing to remove impurities and is then liquefied through a refrigeration process, reducing its volume and making it suitable for storage and transportation. This liquefaction process involves cooling the gas to extremely low temperatures, typically around -160 degrees Celsius (-256 degrees Fahrenheit).
Once liquefied, the LNG is stored in specially designed tanks or containers, often insulated and equipped with refrigeration systems to maintain its low temperature. These storage tanks can vary in size and capacity, depending on the scale of the export terminal. After storage, the LNG is loaded into ocean-going vessels, typically LNG carriers designed to transport the product safely over long distances. These vessels are then responsible for delivering the LNG to import terminals or regasification facilities in other countries.
The US has continued to increase its LNG exports, particularly to Europe, contributing to a significant rise in total US natural gas exports. This trend highlights the growing importance of LNG export terminals in the US energy landscape and their role in shaping the country's energy exports and overall energy market position.
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Frequently asked questions
The US has been a net exporter of fossil fuels since 2019, with exports increasing every year since 2002. In 2022, exports of primary energy (including coal, coal coke, crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, biofuels, and electricity) were 27.5 quadrillion Btu. In 2023, the US exported about 10.15 million barrels per day of petroleum.
Crude oil and natural gas are the primary fossil fuel exports of the US. Crude oil accounted for about 29% of total energy exports in 2023, while natural gas exports made up about 26%.
US fossil fuel exports have generally increased over time, with the country transitioning from a net importer to a net exporter of energy in recent years. This shift has been driven by increases in crude oil and natural gas production, as well as the development of LNG export terminals.
The US exports fossil fuels to a variety of countries, with Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil being the top five source countries for US petroleum imports in 2023. The US also exports LNG to Europe and Asia.
The increase in US fossil fuel exports has had a negative impact on the environment, with new export infrastructure being built in communities already affected by fossil fuel pollution. However, the reduction in US fossil fuel consumption due to higher domestic prices may lead to a decrease in CO2 emissions.
