Ameer Randolph
Fossil fuels are a broad category of fuels that include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. In 2023, the United States imported approximately 8.5 million barrels per day of petroleum from 86 countries, with crude oil accounting for about 76% of these imports. The US has been a net exporter of coal since at least 1949, and coal exports increased by about 15% in 2023. The US also became a net exporter of natural gas in 2017. While the US was a net importer of petroleum until 2019, it has been a net exporter since 2020. However, the US still imported about 6.28 million barrels per day of crude oil in 2022, with Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil being the top five source countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crude oil imports in 2023 | 6.48 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Petroleum imports in 2023 | 8.51 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Crude oil exports in 2023 | 4.06 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Petroleum exports in 2023 | 10.15 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Net petroleum imports in 2023 | -1.64 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Net petroleum exports in 2022 | 1.19 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Crude oil imports in 2022 | 6.28 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Petroleum imports in 2020 | 8.33 million barrels per day (b/d) |
| Peak petroleum imports | 12 million barrels per day (60% of US consumption) |
| Coal exports in 2023 | 8% of total energy exports |
| Coal imports in 2023 | Less than 1% of total energy imports |
| Net crude oil and petroleum products exporter since | January 2020 |
| Net energy exporter since | 2019 |
| Net coal exporter since | 1949 |
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What You'll Learn
Petroleum imports and exports
Crude oil imports made up a significant portion of the United States' total gross petroleum imports, accounting for about 6.48 million b/d, or 76% of the total. The top five source countries for US gross petroleum imports in 2023 were Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil.
At the same time, the United States also exported a substantial amount of petroleum. In 2023, the country exported approximately 10.15 million b/d of petroleum to 173 countries and three US territories: American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Of these exports, about 4.06 million b/d, or 40%, was crude oil. This made the United States a net exporter of petroleum, with a total net export of about 1.64 million b/d.
Historically, US petroleum imports rose sharply in the 1970s, with a significant portion sourced from OPEC nations. However, since 1977, the reliance on OPEC countries has generally declined. The US became a net exporter of petroleum for the first time since at least 1949 in 2020, and this trend continued in 2022 and 2023, with total petroleum exports exceeding imports.
While the United States has been a net exporter of petroleum in recent years, it is important to note that the country still imports crude oil and petroleum products to meet domestic demand and supply international markets. The US energy consumption has exceeded production in most years since 1958, and the gap has often been filled by crude oil and petroleum imports. However, increased domestic production and declining consumption have contributed to a decrease in total energy imports since 2007.
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Crude oil imports
In 2021, the US imported between 8.1 and 8.8 million barrels of crude oil per day, according to the US Energy and Information Administration. Of this, about a million barrels per day came from OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), with Saudi Arabia contributing the most at roughly 550,000 barrels daily. The remaining 7.5 million barrels were imported from non-OPEC nations.
The US Energy Information Administration reported that in 2022, the United States imported about 6.28 million barrels of crude oil per day, while in 2023, this figure increased to about 6.48 million barrels per day. This accounted for approximately 76% of the country's total gross petroleum imports in 2023.
Some of the imported crude oil is refined into petroleum products such as gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, and jet fuel, which are then exported. This process of refining crude oil into petroleum products contributes to the United States' position as a net exporter of petroleum and related products.
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Net exporter of fossil fuels
The United States has been a net exporter of energy since 2019. This means that the country's total energy exports exceed its total energy imports. This development is the result of increasing exports and decreasing imports of primary energy, a trend that has been observed since 2002. In 2022, primary energy exports reached 27.5 quadrillion Btu (quads), while primary energy imports declined to 21.5 quads.
The US has been a net exporter of coal since at least 1949. In 2023, coal exports increased by about 15%, while coal imports decreased by approximately 35%. Coal exports made up about 8% of total energy exports, while coal imports accounted for less than 1% of total energy imports.
The US became a net exporter of natural gas in 2017 for the first time since the late 1950s. In 2023, US natural gas exports reached a record high, contributing to the lowest level of natural gas net imports on record. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, particularly to Europe, played a significant role in this achievement, with a 10% increase in total US natural gas exports in 2023.
In May 2011, the US became a net exporter of refined petroleum products. By 2014, the US was the world's second-largest exporter of refined petroleum products. In 2023, the US exported about 10.15 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum to 173 countries and three US territories, while importing about 8.51 million b/d of petroleum from 86 countries. This made the US a net petroleum exporter of 1.64 million b/d in 2023.
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Energy independence
Historically, the US has been a major exporter and producer of energy, but in the mid-20th century, it became a net importer. This shift prompted the creation of the US Department of Energy and the Synthetic Fuels Corporation to address the issue of fuel import dependency. Since then, the US has alternated between periods of increasing and decreasing energy import dependency, with oil imports peaking at 60% of US consumption in 2006.
The concept of energy independence is often associated with reducing dependence on unstable regions, such as the Middle East, and increasing energy security by relying on more stable allies like Canada and Mexico. This shift towards North American energy security aims to reduce exposure to foreign terrorism and lower trade and foreign exchange stresses on the US economy.
To achieve energy independence, the US has implemented various strategies. These include increasing domestic oil production, promoting the use of alternative fuels such as ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel, and improving energy efficiency. Additionally, the US has taken steps to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, with imports from the Middle East dropping from 45% in 2007 to 11% in 2021. However, this has resulted in an increased reliance on imports from Canada and Mexico, which accounted for 60% of petroleum imports in 2021.
While the US has become a net exporter of energy since 2019, it still relies on foreign oil and fossil fuels. This is partly due to the nature of the refining industry, which requires heavy crude oil that is more readily available internationally. Additionally, the US lacks sufficient infrastructure in some regions to transport and store natural gas, leading to continued imports of liquefied natural gas.
True energy independence for the US may lie in electrification and the development of renewable energy sources to displace fossil fuels. Electricity is cheaper, more stable in price, and less vulnerable to global market fluctuations. By investing in electrification and renewable energy sources, the US can reduce its dependence on foreign energy resources and move closer to achieving energy independence.
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Fossil fuel imports from Canada and Mexico
Canada and Mexico are two of the largest sources of US fossil fuel imports. In 2023, the US imported about 8.51 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum from 86 countries. Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil were the top five source countries of US gross petroleum imports in 2023.
Canada is the largest source of US energy imports. In 2019, energy accounted for US $85 billion, or 27%, of the value of all US imports from Canada. Crude oil and petroleum products accounted for 91% of the value of US energy imports from Canada. The US imported 3.8 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil from Canada in 2019, up from 3.7 million b/d in 2018.
The US also imports a significant amount of fossil fuels from Mexico. In 2019, former US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico, which affected the trade of fossil fuels. Despite this, Mexico continues to be a significant source of US fossil fuel imports, with light crude oil being a notable import.
The ability to import and export crude oil and refined products is beneficial for consumers and safeguards US energy security. The US has been a net exporter of petroleum since October 2019, except for seven months. However, the US still relies on imports from Canada and Mexico to meet its energy demands, with these two countries providing about a quarter of the oil US refiners process.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, America imported about 8.51 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum from 86 countries.
Crude oil and petroleum products such as gasoline, distillates, and biofuels are the main fossil fuels imported by America.
In 2023, the top five source countries for America's fossil fuel imports were Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil.
No, America was a major exporter of fossil fuels until the mid-20th century when it became a net importer. In 2019, America became a net exporter of fossil fuels again for the first time since at least 1949.
