WASHINGTON, April 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. exports of total petroleum products reached a record high in 2018, according to a report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Tuesday.
EIA said U.S. exports of total petroleum products reached an annual average of 5.6 million barrels per day in 2018, an increase of 366,000 barrels per day from the previous year.
According to EIA, total U.S. petroleum product exports in 2018 set a record high for the 16th consecutive year.
EIA data showed that the three largest petroleum product exports in 2018 were distillate, propane, and motor gasoline. Last year, motor gasoline and propane exports reached record highs, while exports of distillate reached their second-highest level.
However, distillate remained the most exported petroleum product in 2018. According to EIA, the top recipients of U.S. distillate are Mexico and Brazil.
EIA said the continuing export increase resulted from higher crude oil production as well as more gross inputs into refineries.
Even with high levels of domestic demand, record-high levels of U.S. crude oil production and refining helped refiners export large volumes of petroleum products, said EIA.
