U.S. energy consumption from selected sources 2000-2021

Petroleum is the most used fuel source in the United States, with a consumption level of 35.07 quadrillion British thermal units in 2021. Natural gas is the second-most common fuel source, with consumption levels rising closer to that of petroleum over recent years.

Petroleum use post-financial crisis

Petroleum in the United States is primarily used for fueling the transportation sector, generating heat and electricity, as well as in the production of plastics. U.S. consumption of petroleum was at its highest before the 2008 global financial crisis, when the price of crude oil rose dramatically. Petroleum consumption began to increase again in 2013, before dropping significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rise of natural gas

While petroleum consumption has been lower in the last decade than in the early 2000s, the use of natural gas has risen significantly. Natural gas consumption in the United States Hhas seen record highs in recent years, in part due to lower costs and its growing popularity. The U.S. currently produces more natural gas than any country in the world, followed by Russia.