The United States imported 320,000 barrels of crude oil from Libya in March 2025, marking a notable return after registering zero imports from the North African country in February, according to the latest data from the US Census Bureau.
The figures highlight Libya’s re-entry into the American oil market, albeit with a relatively modest volume compared to other Arab oil exporters. The March data was published by Energy Research Platform, which reported a 6% month-on-month decline in total US crude imports.
In March, four Arab nations — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, and Libya — supplied the US with a combined total of approximately 14.19 million barrels, representing 8.1% of overall American crude oil imports that month.
Libya’s share was the smallest among the group, contributing just 0.32 million barrels. By contrast, Saudi Arabia and Iraq together accounted for 80% of the Arab oil volume shipped to the US, with exports of 6.06 million and 5.26 million barrels respectively. The UAE followed with 2.55 million barrels.
Overall, US crude oil imports in March stood at 175.51 million barrels, translating to an average of 5.66 million barrels per day. This compares to 168.5 million barrels (6.02 million bpd) imported in February, indicating a shift in daily averages despite the total increase.
Libya’s limited oil contribution reflects ongoing challenges in boosting production and export capacity amid political divisions and infrastructure constraints. However, the renewed flow signals the country’s persistent role in global energy markets, especially as Western nations seek diversified supply sources.
