Imported Oil Falls to 69.6% of U.S. Demand for Oil in 2009; First Time Since 2004 Below 70%

Updated for crude oil only:

Average daily U.S. consumption of oil in 2009: 17,479 thousands of barrels

Average daily U.S. production of crude oil in 2009: 5,309 thousands of barrels

Oil imports as a share of U.S. consumption in 2009: 69.62%

U.S. "dependence on foreign oil" fell to a five-year low of 69.62% of U.S. demand for crude oil in 2009, down from the peak of 72.65% in 2007, and the lowest level since 2004 (see chart above, data from EIA for U.S. consumption of crude oil and U.S. production of crude oil).

Reasons: a) Domestic oil production increased in 2009 by 7.25%, or 131 million barrels, the first annual increase in domestic oil production since 1991, and b) U.S. demand for crude oil fell to the lowest level since 2000, due to the recession.