With gasoline again breaking the $3.00 per gallon barrier and violent demonstrations and unrest spreading throughout the Middle East, oil is again in the headlines.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), net imports accounted for 51% of the total petroleum consumed in the U.S. in 2009. Surprisingly, most of this came from Canada: 21.6% of all U.S. crude oil imports in 2009 were supplied by Canada. The next four largest suppliers of crude oil to the U.S. were Mexico (12.1%); Venezuela (10.6%); Saudi Arabia (10.9%); and Nigeria (8.6%).

The data for this week’s snapshot came from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIAcollects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.  To gather more information, go to their website at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_epc0_im0_mbblpd_a.htm