The U.S. is becoming an energy powerhouse — and it shows

In 2024, the United States reaffirmed its position as one of the most energy-productive nations on Earth. 

For the third consecutive year, it remained a net exporter of energy, producing more than it consumes — a trend that would have been unthinkable two decades ago.

This shift is not just symbolic. It marks a deep transformation in the structure of U.S. energy supply and global influence. 

According to EIA, the share of imports in the U.S. energy mix dropped to just 17% in 2024, the lowest level since 1985. 

Back in 2006, imports made up over 35% of the total supply — now, that figure has been cut in half.

What’s driving this shift?

The answer lies in one word: production.

The United States has ramped up domestic energy output to record levels. 

In 2024 alone, natural gas, crude oil, natural gas plant liquids (NGPLs), biofuels, solar, and wind each set new production records. 

It’s not just fossil fuels, the surge is happening across both traditional and renewable sources, reflecting a dynamic and diversified energy portfolio.

As a result, the need for energy imports is shrinking. 

Crude oil and refined petroleum products,  which once dominated import charts, are now being replaced by domestically sourced alternatives. 

Since 2006, U.S. imports of these products have declined by 39%, dropping from 14 million barrels per day to just 8 million.

A regional and global rebalancing

The transformation is most evident in regions like the Gulf Coast, where strong production and refining capacity have drastically reduced the need for imports. 

The East Coast, long dependent on external supply, has also seen steep reductions. Meanwhile, imports have modestly increased in the Midwest, Mountain, and West Coast,  but even these areas are seeing more Canadian oil than ever before.

That brings us to another critical point: who the U.S. imports from has changed just as dramatically as how much.

In 2006, OPEC nations such as Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Iraq were top suppliers of crude to the U.S. Fast forward to 2024, and imports from OPEC have plunged 77%. 

In contrast, imports from Canada have nearly doubled, making it the most important foreign energy partner for the U.S. every year since 2014. 

With the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, Canadian crude now flows to U.S. refineries at record highs, especially in the Midwest and Mountain regions, where it accounts for nearly all of the supply.

With the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, Canadian crude now flows to U.S. refineries at record highs

What this means going forward

The U.S. energy story is no longer defined by dependence, but by dominance and diversification. 

A more self-sufficient energy system means greater resilience, economic leverage, and control over pricing and supply chains, all crucial in a volatile geopolitical climate.

In 2024, total energy imports were approximately 22 quadrillion British thermal units, a figure that has remained flat for the last few years. 

But behind that stability is a deeper story: the U.S. needs less and produces more, and that’s reshaping both domestic strategy and global energy flows.

America isn’t just participating in the global energy market anymore. It’s leading it.