EIA: US crude oil imports in 2011 dropped to lowest level since 1999 as domestic oil production rose
19 March 2012
US crude oil imports during 2011 fell to their lowest level in twelve years and were down 12% from their peak in 2005, as higher domestic oil production and decreased consumption of petroleum products reduced American refiners’ purchases of foreign crude, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
US crude oil imports averaged 8.9 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2011, down 3.2% (0.3 million bbl/d) from the year before. Imports of crude oil fell below 9 million bbl/d for the first time since 1999, according to full-year trade data in EIA’s February Petroleum Supply Monthly.
Since reaching a peak of 10.1 million bbl/d in 2005, oil imports are down 12%, or 1.2 million bbl/d.
Purchases of imported crude oil have declined because US refiners had more supplies from domestic crude production to use, particularly higher oil output from Texas and North Dakota’s Bakken formation. Texas oil production last year reached its highest level since 1997, and North Dakota appears to have pushed past California in December as the third biggest oil producing state.
Current Administration strategy is working. Transition to more efficient vehicles + increased local crude production + increased non-fossil fuel production has started to work after only 3 short years.
When CAFE 36+ mpg standards are applied and more people have switched to electrified vehicles, the drop in imported crude will become more and more significant.
One has to admit that removing the Oilmen from office was a wise decision.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 March 2012 at 01:15 PM
Harvey, The oilman administration contributed more financing to alternative energy than any previous administration. Also the increase in oil production was primarily due to N. Daktotas contribution of 8 billion gallons which was not assisted by government but private industry. The oil produced on gov. Land and/ gov. Approval decreased.
Posted by: Jimr | 19 March 2012 at 04:47 PM
Bush allowed the oil companies to deep drill in the Gulf of Mexico leading to the BP blowout. Drill Baby Drill was Bush and Cheney's motto.
We are producing more oil now than any time in the recent past. It is mostly on private land because they can sell that oil anywhere they want to.
Oil companies have millions of acres of public land under lease and have not developed much of it, what are they waiting for?
Posted by: SJC | 19 March 2012 at 05:16 PM
SJC, I am not familiar with the legal rules of drilling, are you saying that all the oil drilled on gov leased land can only be sold to or used in US.
Posted by: Jimr | 19 March 2012 at 05:32 PM
Do the words "as domestic oil production rose" mean "we use less", to you?
"Purchases of imported crude oil have declined
and
US refiners had more supplies from domestic crude
and
higher oil output from Texas
and
higher oil output from North Dakota’s Bakken formation.
and
Texas oil production highest level since 1997
and
North Dakota pushed past California as the third biggest oil producing state."
Is apparently unfathomable to some.
Isn't Obama claiming credit for increased oil production? Even as you deny what is before you eyes. LOL.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 19 March 2012 at 07:38 PM
It depends on the laws, until 1995 Alaskan oil used to have to come to the U.S. the Republican House repealed that provision allowing Alaskan oil to be taken and sold where ever the oil companies wanted to take it.
Many people are shocked by that fact and say it is "our oil", well if they are so shocked why did they allow the Republicans to repeal that provision in the law which let the oil companies take and sell "our oil" where ever they want?
Posted by: SJC | 19 March 2012 at 09:15 PM
@TT
I'm not really sure what to make of your comment but when you say:
"Do the words "as domestic oil production rose" mean "we use less", to you?"
It seems you missed the first sentence of the article:
"US crude oil imports during 2011 fell to their lowest level in twelve years and were down 12% from their peak in 2005, as higher domestic oil production and decreased consumption of petroleum products"
Increasing domestic production is a long term effort for which both the Bush and Obama administration can take credit. However, I understand that it can be difficult for some people to give credit to Obama for anything. But that is just the way politics work.
Posted by: Arne | 20 March 2012 at 12:44 AM
I am not sure what you want to give Obama credit for?
Posted by: ToppaTom | 20 March 2012 at 10:05 PM
Fixing the huge economic mess that the previous Administration and friends created. One term will not be long enough to fix 8 years of extremely bad mismanagement. Even two terms may not be enough to fix $10+ T blunders.
Posted by: HarveyD | 22 March 2012 at 05:40 PM