The United States has increased heavy crude imports amid Western sanctions on Russia and President Joe Biden’s letter calling on U.S. energy producers to make more gasoline and diesel.
Customs data shows that U.S. refiners last month imported the highest number of crude barrels in nearly two years, with refiners importing 33.5 million barrels of heavy crude in May.
According to the data, 56 vessels discharged nearly 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) of Mexico’s Maya, Ecuador’s Napo and Oriente, and Iraq’s Basra heavy, among other grades.
Heavy crudes cost less than lighter shale oils that are produced in the United States and typically produce more diesel and less gasoline….