US demand for liquid fuels in 2012 and 2013 was revised downward in the December Short-Term Energy Report from the Energy Information Administration, released Tuesday.
EIA said consumption of liquid fuels would average 18.64 million b/d in 2012, down from an estimated 18.67 million b/d in the November STEO. While demand is expected to rise by 90,000 b/d in 2013, total consumption in the US is expected to average 18.73 million b/d, down from the 18.75 million b/d forecast in November.
"Motor gasoline consumption declines 30,000 b/d (0.3%) in 2012, with a 0.2% projected growth in highway travel more than offset by a 0.5% increase in fleetwide fuel efficiency," the report states.
In 2013, consumption rises in every category, but is led by a rise in demand for distillate fuel oil and natural gas liquids, EIA said. Growth in freight shipments and industrial use, plus a return to near-normal Winter temperature, accounts for much of the rise in demand.
Gasoline demand will continue to fall in 2013, EIA forecasts.
