How much oil does the United States import (and why)

About 60% of the crude oil that runs through U.S. refineries is extracted right here at home. However, our refineries run on many different types of crude oil, some of which we don't produce here or can't economically transport. In those cases, we use imports. Nearly 70% of our crude oil imports come from Canada (60%) and Mexico (7%). Using the right types of crude oil keeps our refineries efficient, keeps costs down and maintains energy security.

• The amount of crude oil U.S. refineries process greatly exceeds U.S. crude oil production. The United States is producing a record amount of crude oil (~13.4 million barrels per day), while U.S. refineries need about 16.5 million barrels per day to maintain current production levels (roughly 90% utilization).
• Many refineries need heavier crude oil to maximize flexibility of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel production. Today, most crude oil produced in the United States is light, including much of what's produced in the Permian and Bakken. Light crudes are not good replacements for the heavy crude oil we get from Canada and Mexico.
• Re-tooling refineries to process solely U.S. crude oil (light crude) would cost billions - a risky investment that would take decades to permit, construct and eventually pay off. We lack the infrastructure (like pipelines) needed to cost effectively supply U.S crude oil and refined products to every region. Even if the economics of re-tooling our facilities worked, it can take close to a decade to permit and build pipelines in the United States.

The ability to import AND export crude oil and refined products is good for consumers AND safeguards U.S. energy security. Read more.