US Oil Imports Dominated by Canadian Crude

The United States imports significant amounts of oil every day. In 2025, the country imported approximately 7.9 million barrels of oil per day. Among the countries supplying this oil, Canada stands out as the largest source, accounting for nearly 57% of U.S. oil imports. This is due in part to integrated pipelines and refinery infrastructure that connect Canada's oil sands to U.S. refineries.

Canada supplied 4.5 million barrels per day, a volume significantly higher than any other country. Mexico ranked second, followed by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil. The data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that Canada's dominance is largely due to geography and refinery infrastructure. Alberta's oil sands produce heavy, sour crude, which is transported south through major pipelines and processed in Midwest refineries.

The high volume of Canadian oil imported by the U.S. has several implications. One reason for this importation is that not all U.S. refineries are equipped to handle the lighter, sweeter oil produced by domestic shale fields. Canada's heavy crude provides a natural complement to these lighter oils.