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U.S. Oil Consumption

- Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes.

U.S. Oil ConsumptionThousand Barrels Daily · 2015–2023

20,00019,00018,00017,0002015: 18,4992016: 18,5932017: 18,8452018: 19,4172019: 19,424Peak2020: 17,183Trough2021: 18,7852022: 18,8622023: 18,98420152017201920212023
Source: energyinst.orgLast updated: June 2026

What U.S. Oil Consumption shows

U.S. Oil Consumption was 18,984 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023, up 0.6% on 2022. The Oil Consumption dataset of the United States from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country's oil consumption, highlighting demand trends, consumption levels, supply patterns, and overall industry performance throughout the review period.

Trend

Higher over the period

U.S. Oil Consumption moved from 18,499 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 to 18,984 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 (+2.6%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 19,424 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2019 and the low 17,183 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2020.

Volatility

A 11.5% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2020) is 2,241 Thousand Barrels Daily. The sharpest single-year move was −11.5% in 2020.

Structure

Ranks 1 of 46 countries covered

Among the 46 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 1 for 2023. It accounts for 18.9% of the global total in 2023.

Full series

U.S. Oil Consumption by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Barrels Daily.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

U.S. Oil Consumption, 2015–2023, Thousand Barrels Daily.
YearThousand Barrels DailyChange vs prior year
2023 18,984 +0.6%
2022 18,862 +0.4%
2021 18,785 +9.3%
2020 Trough17,183 −11.5%
2019Peak 19,424 0%
2018 19,417 +3%
2017 18,845 +1.4%
2016 18,593 +0.5%
2015 18,499 —

Regional context

How U.S. compares in North America

Oil Consumption by country, 2023, Thousand Barrels Daily. U.S. is highlighted.

1U.S.
18,984
2Canada
2,351
3Mexico
1,962

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

Oil Consumption — - Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the demand for oil-based fuels and products across the economy. The indicator includes the use of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and other oil-derived products consumed by transportation, industry, power generation, residential, commercial, and other sectors. Oil Consumption is a key measure of a country’s energy demand, economic activity, transportation intensity, and dependence on petroleum resources.

Inclusions

The data includes the domestic consumption of major petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other refined oil products used across transportation, industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, and power generation sectors. It covers both energy-related use and certain non-energy uses of petroleum products, such as feedstocks for petrochemical manufacturing where included in national energy balances. The indicator reflects total petroleum demand within a country regardless of whether the oil is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, refinery reports, trade data, and standardized international energy databases, enabling consistent comparison of oil consumption trends across countries and over time.

Exclusions

The data excludes crude oil production, crude oil reserves, refinery throughput, and petroleum exports. It does not include consumption of natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, electricity, or renewable energy sources unless they are derived from petroleum products. The indicator excludes upstream oil extraction activities and does not directly measure fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, energy affordability, or the quality of energy services. Inventory changes, strategic petroleum reserves, and stock movements may be treated separately depending on the reporting methodology. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national accounting practices, product classifications, and estimation methods used across countries.

About this indicator

Oil Consumption — - Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the demand for oil-based fuels and products across the economy. The indicator includes the use of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and other oil-derived products consumed by transportation, industry, power generation, residential, commercial, and other sectors. Oil Consumption is a key measure of a country’s energy demand, economic activity, transportation intensity, and dependence on petroleum resources.

Measured in million barrels daily, the dataset serves as an important indicator of energy demand, economic activity, transportation fuel consumption, and the performance of the U.S. oil market. It enables assessment of long-term consumption patterns, market dynamics, and changes in petroleum demand across the country's major consuming sectors.

U.S. oil consumption increased from 18.50 million barrels daily in 2015 to 18.59 million in 2016 and 18.85 million in 2017, before rising to 19.42 million barrels daily in both 2018 and 2019, representing the highest pre-pandemic consumption level. Demand declined sharply to 17.18 million barrels daily in 2020, reflecting the impact of reduced transportation activity, industrial slowdown, and broader economic disruptions. Consumption recovered to 18.79 million barrels daily in 2021, followed by 18.86 million in 2022 and 18.98 million barrels daily in 2023. Although demand remained slightly below the 2018–2019 peak, the steady recovery highlighted the resilience of domestic energy consumption and continued growth across transportation, industrial, and commercial sectors.

Overall, the dataset indicates that the United States remained the world's largest oil consumer throughout the review period, supported by its large economy, extensive transportation network, and substantial industrial base. The temporary decline in 2020 was followed by sustained recovery, reflecting improving economic conditions and resilient petroleum demand. The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring oil consumption trends, evaluating energy demand, supporting market analysis, forecasting future petroleum consumption, and enabling policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders to develop informed energy policies, infrastructure strategies, and long-term investment decisions.

Indicator
Oil Consumption
Country
U.S.
Region
North America
Unit
Thousand Barrels Daily
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
Energy & Power
Last updated
June 2026
Source
energyinst.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is U.S. Oil Consumption?

Definition- Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the demand for oil-based fuels and products across the economy. The indicator includes the use of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and other oil-derived products consumed by transportation, industry, power generation, residential, commercial, and other sectors. Oil Consumption is a key measure of a country’s energy demand, economic activity, transportation intensity, and dependence on petroleum resources.

What was U.S. Oil Consumption in 2023?

U.S. Oil Consumption was 18,984 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023, up 0.6% on 2022.

How has U.S. Oil Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?

U.S. Oil Consumption moved from 18,499 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 to 18,984 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 (+2.6%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 19,424 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2019 and the low 17,183 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2020.

Which year had the highest and lowest U.S. Oil Consumption?

The highest value was 19,424 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2019 and the lowest was 17,183 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2020.

What does the U.S. Oil Consumption data include and exclude?

Included: The data includes the domestic consumption of major petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other refined oil products used across transportation, industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, and power generation sectors. It covers both energy-related use and certain non-energy uses of petroleum products, such as feedstocks for petrochemical manufacturing where included in national energy balances. The indicator reflects total petroleum demand within a country regardless of whether the oil is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, refinery reports, trade data, and standardized international energy databases, enabling consistent comparison of oil consumption trends across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes crude oil production, crude oil reserves, refinery throughput, and petroleum exports. It does not include consumption of natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, electricity, or renewable energy sources unless they are derived from petroleum products. The indicator excludes upstream oil extraction activities and does not directly measure fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, energy affordability, or the quality of energy services. Inventory changes, strategic petroleum reserves, and stock movements may be treated separately depending on the reporting methodology. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national accounting practices, product classifications, and estimation methods used across countries.

Where does the U.S. Oil Consumption data come from?

The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Barrels Daily.

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