The US reduced oil imports by 5% to 8.492 million barrels daily in 2012, the minimal volume in the last 15 years, RIA Novosti reports.
Oil imports in December dropped by 13%, the lowest volume per month since 1997.
Canada remains the main oil exporter to the US, increasing volumes by an average of 8% per year to 2.4 million barrels daily. The second biggest exporter is Saudi Arabia, followed by Venezuela and Mexico.
According to the Energy Information Administration, oil extraction in the US will increase by 14%, compared with 2012, and reach a record of 7.3 million barrels daily in 2013, by 8% to 7.9 million barrels daily in 2014. Oil extraction in the next two years may rise by 23% (6.4 million barrels of oil daily), compared with 2012. Shale oil will be extracted in Texas, North Dakota and Montana.
