US crude oil imports in February fell 770,000 b/d year on year, or 9%, to average 7.8 million b/d -- their lowest level in 16 years, the American Petroleum Institute said Thursday.
Total crude and refined product imports fell in February to below 10 million b/d for only the second time in 15 years, the API said in its monthly statistical report.
Total imports averaged nearly 9.9 million b/d in February down 5.8% year on year and down 4.8% from January. Canadian crude imports fell 9% in February year on year to 2.3 million b/d, but were up 9% from January levels, the API said.
Refined product imports rose 8.6% in February from the prior year, led by a 150% jump in kerosine-jet fuel and a 19.2% jump in residual fuel. Imports of gasoline and blending components were 567,000 b/d in February, down 11.4% year on year.
