Oil and Natural Gas Boost 2015 U.S. Trade Balance

Felmy noted that the total U.S. trade deficit peaked at $762 billion in 2006, prior to the surge in U.S. oil and natural gas production. By 2014, it had dropped to $508 billion. The Aug. 5 DOC trade report, covering trade data through June 2015, shows that the U.S. trade deficit among petroleum and petroleum products fell by 56.1% compared to the first six months of 2014. That growth helped to hold the total U.S. year-over-year trade balance steady, despite a 23.1% increase in the trade deficit among nonpetroleum products. Due to low commodity prices, the value of U.S. petroleum and petroleum product exports fell by $20.2 billion, despite high export volumes, but petroleum-related imports fell faster, down $78.6 billion compared to the first six months of 2014.

“Outdated trade policies are among the biggest threats to America’s continued growth right now,” said Felmy. “Accelerating approval of LNG export terminals and lifting the 1970s-era ban on crude oil exports would put America in the driver’s seat on trade. America is now the world’s largest producer of natural gas, providing our workers an important competitive advantage in the global market. And study after study shows that lifting the ban on crude exports will mean more jobs, downward pressure on fuel costs, and could reduce the power that foreign suppliers have over our allies overseas.”

Felmy advocates strong, bipartisan legislation to accelerate U.S. growth as an energy superpower, and comments that such bills are currently making their way through both chambers of Congress. API is urging members of the House and Senate to make free trade in energy a top priority when they return from their August recess.