February 13, 2026–Written by Daniel Graeber for IIR Energy Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)–The U.S. provided the largest share of crude oil exports to the European Union last year, though fringe players such as Libya were supportive, economists at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)said Thursday.
The U.S. is the world leader in crude oil production, with output expected to average 13.6 million barrels per day (BBL/d) this year, according to U.S. federal estimates. In an ironic twist, much of the U.S. refinery sector is tailored to run heavier slates of crude oil rather than the light, sweet crude oil found in U.S. shale basins.
