Full Title: Crude Oil Markets: Effects of the Repeal of the Crude Oil Export Ban
Author(s): United States Government Accountability Office
Publisher(s): United States Government Accountability Office
Publication Date: November 20, 2020
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Description (excerpt):
GAO’s analysis of U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data and interviews with industry stakeholders shows that the repeal of the U.S. crude oil export ban is associated with increased crude oil exports—from less than half a million barrels per day in 2015 to almost 3 million barrels per day in 2019. The repeal of the ban expanded crude oil markets to overseas buyers and, along with other market factors, allowed U.S. crude oil producers to charge higher prices relative to comparable foreign crude oil. Higher prices and an expanded market for U.S. crude oil further incentivized domestic crude oil production, which had been growing since the shale oil boom began around 2009 (see figure). During the period after the repeal, total U.S. imports of crude oil remained largely unchanged.