Petroleum Net Imports Reach a New High

Although the U.S. used slightly (0.5%) less petroleum in 2005 than it did in record-breaking 2004, the percentage of that petroleum that was imported reached a new high in 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. Of the 99.84 quadrillion Btus used, a net 59.8% was imported. Of those imports, 17.0% came from the Persian Gulf and 40.7% came from OPEC countries. More information is online at www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/mer/.