U.S. Dependence on Imported Petroleum Nears All-Time High

U.S. dependence on imported petroleum is nearing an all-time high. According to the DOE Energy Information Administration, total average petroleum imports in 1996 reached 9.4 million barrels per day (1.5 billion l/d), or 51.5% of total consumption. While total imports (both actual and percentage basis) were the highest ever, the

net imports, at 46.2%, were slightly below the peak in 1977. Exports of just under 1 million barrels per day (159 million l/d) in 1996 account for the difference between total and net imported petroleum dependence.