Where Does the US Get Its Oil? Top Import Sources

The United States is a major consumer of petroleum, a vital resource for energy and various industries. While the U.S. has significantly increased its domestic oil production in recent years, it still relies on imports to meet its total petroleum demand. Understanding where the US gets its oil is crucial for grasping its energy security and international trade relationships. This article delves into the primary sources of U.S. petroleum imports, shedding light on the countries that play a key role in supplying America’s energy needs.

Key Petroleum Import Facts for the U.S.

In 2023, the United States imported approximately 8.51 million barrels of petroleum per day. This figure encompasses crude oil, hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs), refined petroleum products like gasoline and diesel, and biofuels. Crude oil constitutes the majority of these imports, accounting for about 76% of the total, or roughly 6.48 million barrels per day.

Interestingly, despite being a significant importer, the U.S. is also a major exporter of petroleum. In 2023, exports reached about 10.15 million barrels per day, surpassing imports and making the United States a net petroleum exporter at a rate of 1.64 million barrels per day. This seemingly paradoxical situation arises from factors such as the types of crude oil the U.S. refineries are best equipped to process and strategic global energy market dynamics. However, the need for imports remains substantial, and certain countries are key suppliers.

Top Countries Supplying Oil to the U.S.

The U.S. sources its petroleum from a diverse range of countries. In 2023, 86 countries supplied petroleum to the United States. However, a few nations stand out as the top contributors. The top five source countries for U.S. petroleum imports in 2023 were:

Canada: Canada is by far the largest supplier of petroleum to the United States. In 2023, the U.S. imported approximately 4.42 million barrels per day from Canada, representing a significant 52% of total U.S. petroleum imports. This strong reliance on Canada is due to geographical proximity, established pipeline infrastructure, and strong trade relationships between the two countries. Canada is a stable and reliable energy partner for the United States.
Mexico: Mexico ranks as the second-largest source of U.S. petroleum imports. In 2023, imports from Mexico averaged about 0.91 million barrels per day, accounting for 11% of the total. Like Canada, Mexico’s proximity and trade agreements facilitate substantial petroleum trade with the U.S.
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia, a key member of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), is historically a major oil producer and exporter globally. In 2023, the U.S. imported around 0.44 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia, making up 5% of total imports. While imports from Saudi Arabia are less than Canada and Mexico, they still represent a significant volume and highlight the U.S.’s reliance on global oil markets.
Iraq: Another OPEC nation, Iraq, was the fourth-largest source of U.S. petroleum imports in 2023, with approximately 0.32 million barrels per day, or 4% of the total. Imports from Iraq contribute to diversifying the sources of U.S. oil and reflect the U.S.’s engagement with Middle Eastern oil producers.
Brazil: Brazil, a growing oil producer in South America, rounds out the top five. The U.S. imported about 0.26 million barrels per day from Brazil in 2023, which is 3% of total petroleum imports. Brazil represents a geographically diverse source of oil outside of North America and the Middle East.

Why Does the U.S. Still Import Oil?

Despite the growth in domestic oil production and becoming a net exporter, the U.S. continues to import significant amounts of petroleum for several reasons:

Refinery Optimization: U.S. refineries are configured to process a wide range of crude oil types. Some refineries are specifically designed to handle heavier, sour crude oils, which may be more readily available from international sources or cheaper to import than domestic light, sweet crude. Importing different types of crude allows refineries to optimize their output of various petroleum products.
Strategic Considerations: Maintaining diverse sources of oil imports enhances energy security by reducing reliance on any single region or country. This diversification strategy helps to buffer against potential supply disruptions due to geopolitical events or natural disasters.
Market Dynamics: Global oil prices and market dynamics play a significant role in import decisions. At times, it may be economically advantageous for U.S. companies to import certain types of crude oil or refined products even when domestic production is high.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the United States is a net petroleum exporter, it remains a major importer to satisfy its energy demands and optimize its refining capabilities. Where the US gets its oil primarily points to Canada and Mexico as dominant suppliers due to geographical and trade advantages. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil also play important roles in diversifying the sources of U.S. petroleum imports. Understanding these import sources is essential for analyzing U.S. energy policy, international trade, and energy security.

Data Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly, February 2024.

Learn More:

Detailed historical data on U.S. petroleum imports and exports
U.S. petroleum imports by country of origin

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## Top Countries Supplying Oil to the U.S.

The U.S. sources its petroleum from a diverse range of countries.  In 2023, 86 countries supplied petroleum to the United States. However, a few nations stand out as the top contributors. The top five source countries for U.S. petroleum imports in 2023 were:



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The United States, a global powerhouse in energy consumption, relies significantly on petroleum to fuel its economy and daily life. Despite advancements in domestic oil production, imports remain a crucial component of the US energy mix. Understanding where the US gets its oil is essential to comprehending its energy security, international trade relations, and geopolitical strategy. This article examines the primary countries from which the U.S. imports petroleum, highlighting the key players in supplying America’s substantial energy needs.

Key Facts About U.S. Petroleum Imports

In 2023, the United States imported approximately 8.51 million barrels of petroleum every day. This broad category of “petroleum” includes not just crude oil, but also hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs), refined petroleum products like gasoline and diesel fuel, and biofuels. Crude oil itself made up the majority of these imports, accounting for about 76% of the total, or roughly 6.48 million barrels per day.

An interesting aspect of the U.S. petroleum landscape is its status as both a major importer and a leading exporter. In 2023, while importing millions of barrels, the U.S. also exported about 10.15 million barrels of petroleum daily. This resulted in the United States becoming a net petroleum exporter at a rate of 1.64 million barrels per day. This seemingly contradictory situation is explained by factors like refinery configurations optimized for specific crude types and strategic global energy market positioning. Nevertheless, the consistent need for imports underscores the importance of reliable international suppliers.

Top Countries Supplying Petroleum to the U.S.

The United States sources its petroleum from a diverse global network, spanning 86 countries in 2023. However, a select few nations stand out as the dominant providers. The top five countries from which the U.S. imported petroleum in 2023 were:

Alt text: Extensive oil refinery complex operating at dusk in United States, highlighting the scale of petroleum processing infrastructure.

Canada: Canada is unequivocally the largest and most critical source of petroleum for the United States. In 2023, imports from Canada averaged around 4.42 million barrels per day, constituting a dominant 52% of all U.S. petroleum imports. This heavy reliance on Canada is underpinned by geographical proximity, extensive cross-border pipeline networks, and deeply integrated trade relations. Canada’s stable political environment and reliable energy sector solidify its position as a dependable energy partner for the U.S.
Mexico: Mexico holds the position of the second-largest petroleum supplier to the United States. In 2023, the U.S. imported approximately 0.91 million barrels per day from Mexico, representing 11% of total petroleum imports. Similar to Canada, Mexico benefits from its close geographical location and established trade routes with the U.S., facilitating significant energy exchange.
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia, a leading member of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and a historically dominant global oil producer, remains a significant source for the U.S. In 2023, U.S. imports from Saudi Arabia were about 0.44 million barrels per day, accounting for 5% of the total. While proportionally smaller than imports from North American neighbors, Saudi Arabia’s contribution is substantial and reflects the U.S.’s engagement with major Middle Eastern oil exporters.
Iraq: Iraq, another key OPEC member, was the fourth-largest source of U.S. petroleum imports in 2023, with imports averaging around 0.32 million barrels per day, or 4% of the total. Sourcing oil from Iraq helps diversify the U.S.’s import portfolio and maintains relationships with key oil-producing nations in the Persian Gulf region.
Brazil: Brazil, an increasingly important oil producer in South America, rounds out the top five. The U.S. imported approximately 0.26 million barrels per day from Brazil in 2023, making up 3% of overall petroleum imports. Brazil represents a geographically diverse source of oil, expanding beyond traditional suppliers in North America and the Middle East.

Why the U.S. Imports Oil Despite Domestic Production

Despite the surge in U.S. domestic oil production and its net exporter status, the country continues to import substantial quantities of petroleum due to several key factors:

Refinery Capabilities and Optimization: U.S. refineries are complex and highly specialized, designed to process a wide spectrum of crude oil types. Certain refineries are specifically configured to efficiently process heavier, sour crude oils, which may be more cost-effectively sourced from international markets or more readily available than domestic light, sweet crude. Importing diverse crude types allows refineries to optimize production of various petroleum products, meeting diverse market demands.
Strategic Diversification and Energy Security: Maintaining a diverse range of import sources enhances U.S. energy security by mitigating reliance on any single supplier or region. This diversification strategy acts as a buffer against potential supply disruptions caused by geopolitical instability, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events in any one source country.
Global Market Dynamics and Economic Factors: Global oil prices and intricate market dynamics significantly influence import decisions. At times, it may be economically advantageous for U.S. companies to import specific grades of crude oil or refined products, even when domestic production levels are robust. These economic incentives are driven by price differentials, transportation costs, and specific market demands.

Conclusion: Understanding U.S. Oil Import Sources

In conclusion, while the United States has achieved net petroleum exporter status, it remains a significant importer to meet its vast energy needs and optimize its sophisticated refining infrastructure. Where the US gets its oil is primarily answered by Canada and Mexico, its dominant North American neighbors, due to geographical advantages and strong trade partnerships. However, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil also play critical roles in diversifying and supplementing U.S. petroleum import sources. A comprehensive understanding of these import origins is crucial for informed analysis of U.S. energy policy, international trade relations, and the broader landscape of global energy security.