The U.S. is now energy independent and doesn't need foreign oil.

Context#

The shale revolution made the U.S. a net petroleum exporter. But claims of "energy independence" misunderstand how North American energy markets work—and why Canadian oil remains essential.

Evidence#

The Numbers

• U.S. crude production: ~13 million b/d (record levels)
• U.S. crude consumption: ~20 million b/d
• Canada supplies: ~4 million b/d to U.S. refineries
• U.S. is a net petroleum exporter (when including refined products)

Why U.S. Refineries Need Canadian Oil

• Gulf Coast refineries were built for heavy crude—not U.S. light shale oil
• Canadian oil sands produce the heavy crude these refineries require
• Retrofitting refineries would cost tens of billions of dollars
• Canadian heavy crude is often the most economic feedstock available
• Without Canadian imports, U.S. would need Venezuelan or Middle Eastern heavy crude

North American Energy Security

• U.S. and Canada have deeply integrated energy infrastructure
• Pipelines, refineries, and markets operate across the border
• Canadian oil is friendly, reliable, and subject to similar regulations
• North American energy independence is the meaningful metric
• Together, U.S. + Canada are a global energy superpower

The "Independence" Myth

• "Not needing foreign oil" ignores that Canadian oil isn't adversarial imports
• Cutting Canadian supply would harm U.S. refiners and consumers
• Energy security comes from reliable partners, not isolation
• Canada is more reliable than any OPEC nation

What Would Actually Happen Without Canadian Oil

• Gulf Coast refineries would lose their optimal feedstock
• U.S. would import heavy crude from less friendly sources
• Gasoline prices would rise
• Refinery jobs would be at risk
• North American energy security would weaken

Analysis#

This claim is mixed because it's technically true that the U.S. is a net petroleum exporter, but deeply misleading in its implication. The U.S. doesn't "need" to cut off Canadian oil—doing so would be economically harmful and strategically foolish.

Canadian oil isn't "foreign" in any meaningful security sense. Canada is America's closest ally, largest trading partner, and most reliable energy supplier. The integrated North American energy system is a strategic asset, not a vulnerability.

The goal should be North American energy dominance, not U.S. isolation. Together, the U.S. and Canada can supply their own needs and export to allies worldwide—a far stronger position than either country alone.