Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog

United States is first at 1.64 billion barrels last year (roughly a quarter of total oil used).

Then NAFTA partners at 1.43 billion barrels.

Then Africa at 987 million.

Then LATAM at 930 million.

Fifth is Middle East at 805 million.

Europe/Former Sov Union is sixth at 530 million.

The distance between NAFTA and Africa has increased. When Nigeria was pumping out a few years ago, Africa was nearly on par, although only a few years ago Nigeria was behind Mexico ranking 3rd most important importer.

interesting. would be interested if one compares this with the stats 10 years ago.

And yet... US military action is always seen as Imperialism going in for cheap natural resources.

Granted, we *are* going in there for money, but not for cheap natural resources... stability creates more of an economic boom than instability, regardless of the local resources of the area in question.

For example, Dubai. They're actually planning for non-oil based revenue (tourism, commerce, exchange markets, etc.) for when the oil runs out.

I'm surprised Canada is not on the list, since that's where we get our oil from here in Minnesota.

Kevin,
Canada is part of NAFTA. Thus #2 on the list :).

Tom - is there a handy source that lists/tracks this information?

These statistics are useful in rebutting the stereotype that "we" are at the mercy of Islamic extremists who control "our" supply of oil, and we need to achieve "independence" from these bad guys. I believe the single nation (other than the US itself) that supplies most of the oil consumed in the US is Canada (I assume that is included in the "NAFTA partners" in these stats), and I for one do not feel that the US is being held hostage by Canada, creating some pressing need for "energy independence" from Canadian extremists.
Ultimately, however, these stats don't mean much. If by "we", you are talking about the American consumers, then the simple fact is that "we" purchase virtually all of our oil from a handful of multinational oil companies, most of which are American-based. It stands to reason that the products these companies sell in the US come primarily from sources closest to the US in order to minimize transportation costs. I believe that the main reason why oil consumed in the US comes from other sources (such as the Middle East or Africa) has to do with the differing chemical composition of crude oil found in different parts of the world.
The fact is that these same multinational oil companies buy and sell oil all around the world, not just the US. Thus, these oil companies do have significant interests in the Middle East, which is the primary source of oil that is sold in Asia and a major source of oil sold in Europe. These oil companies are, to put it mildly, somewhat influential in Washington, and I suspect that many American politicians view the "we" in all of this as the American-based oil companies, not the American consumers. I say this not to demonize the oil companies, but simply to reflect the reality of the way things work. Ultimately, I think the market system works pretty well, without the need for the government either to penalize the oil companies, or to use its resources (including military resources) to advance their interests.

Kevin, Canada's part of NAFTA.

Mexico is part of NAFTA too confusing for all of us to grew up considering it part of Latin America. (I believe the Mexicans consider themselves Latin Americans, North Americans, and part of the United States The United States of Mexico that is.)
If Mexico was counted as part of LA would that still keep NAFTA ahead of LA?

So roughly half comes from OPEC countries...

Stuart: Remind me ...which part of Canada is in the Gap and is exporting violence around the world?

The stats above show 28% of US oil comes from the gap.

I am too lazy to calculate what % of world oil comes from the gap.

The margin matters. From what supply does the next demanded barrel come from?

That's why I roll my eyes when ever someone mentions "energy independence". The market for this stuff is global. I guess it's a lot easier, in terms of politics, ideology and cognitive dissonance, than addressing the demand side of the equation.

The US imports 60% of what it consumes.

46% of imports come from OPEC, including the 19% of imports that come from the Persian Gulf

18% of imports are from Canada

10% of imports are from Mexico

Energy Information Administration