“A record 1.6 million barrels a day in U.S. refined petroleum products were exported during the first four months of this year, up 33 percent from 1.2 million barrels a day over the same period in 2007. Shipments this February topped 1.8 million barrels a day for the first time during any month, according to final numbers from the Energy Department.” (Forbes)
Put another way, we are exporting more than twice as much oil now as we could expect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to produce when it came online in 15-20 years.
Exporting.
More than twice as much.
Interesting fact, but it isn’t really a valid comparison. “Refined product” is a catch-all for whatever is left after we make gasoline and diesel out of the good part of a barrel. It contains such diverse products as petroleum jelly, plastic feedstocks, fertilizer products, asphalt, etc.
But, yeah, ANWR isn’t going to cure our addiction – nor will offshore drilling.
During the same period we were adding an average of 1.15 million barrels a month to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
If I read this table correctly plans are to temporarily quit adding to this reserve in Aug 08, just in time for the election this fall.