[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9510-S9511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       U.S. FOREIGN OIL CONSUMPTION FOR WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 5TH

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, the American Petroleum Institute reports 
that for the week ending September 12,

[[Page S9511]]

the United States imported 9,371,000 barrels of oil each day, 1,799,000 
barrels more than the 7,572,000 imported each day during the same week 
a year ago.
  Americans relied on foreign oil for 59.6 percent of their needs last 
week, and there is no sign that the upward spiral will abate. Before 
the Persian Gulf war, the United States obtained approximately 45 
percent of its oil supply from foreign countries. During the Arab oil 
embargo in the 1970's, foreign oil accounted for only 35 percent of 
America's oil supply.
  Anybody else interested in restoring domestic production of oil? By 
U.S. producers using American workers?
  Politicians had better ponder the economic calamity sure to occur in 
America if and when foreign producers shut off our supply--or double 
the already enormous cost of imported oil flowing into the United 
States--now 9,371,000 barrels a day.

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