On Demand

摘要

THERE IS A GROWING CONSENSUS that North American tight oil is big. Some even say the elusive goal of United States energy independence is within reach, but precisely how far of a reach remains open for debate. What appears certain is an ongoing decline in the amount of oil the U.S. needs to import. Today, on a net basis, the U.S. imports more than eight million barrels per day of crude oil and refined products from foreign sources (more than one-quarter from Canada). Even with other factors shaping future oil demand - including new automobile fuel efficiency standards and a conservative (but likely) amount of petroleum displacement from biofuels, electricity and natural gas - the U.S. would still need more than eight million barrels per day of new domestic oil supply to eliminate all foreign imports.