US crude imports from Venezuela highest since 2017
Commodities
Friday, November 6, 2026
- Updated Nov 6, 2026 12:07
US imports of Venezuelan crude averaged 701,000 barrels a day in July 2026, the most since May 2017, the EIA said, after starting the year at 200,000 barrels a day.
Why it matters: The United States has replaced China as the largest destination for Venezuelan crude this year, a reversal driven by eased US restrictions and Gulf Coast demand for heavy sour grades.
Data as of U.S. Energy Information Administration, Today in Energy analysis of November 6, 2026, read in full in this run; all figures are the EIA's own, from its Petroleum Supply Monthly data through August 2026. Developing item.
US imports of crude oil from Venezuela averaged 701,000 barrels a day in July 2026, the most since May 2017, before easing to 655,000 barrels a day in August, the Energy Information Administration said on November 6. Imports started the year at 200,000 barrels a day and rose in most months, supported by high refinery demand on strong global margins, the easing of US restrictions on purchases from Venezuela, and a Gulf Coast refining fleet configured for heavy sour grades of the kind Venezuela produces.
The destination of Venezuelan exports has flipped in the process. The EIA, citing Vortexa data, said most Venezuelan crude exports went to China in 2025, while in 2026 Venezuela has exported no crude to China and the United States has instead been the largest single destination by volume.
Sources
- U.S. crude oil imports from Venezuela in July were highest since 2017 - U.S. Energy Information Administration - 2026-11-06