US crude oil imports rose sharply in July 2025, with four Arab countries, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, and Kuwait, accounting for nearly 9.5 percent of total inflows.
According to new data compiled by the Washington-based Energy Research Unit, the United States imported 195.95 million barrels of crude during the month, equivalent to 6.23 million barrels per day, compared with 180.16 million barrels, or 6 mbpd, in June.
Libya, despite being one of the smaller suppliers compared to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, remains a significant player in the US market. In July, the country shipped 1.98 million barrels of crude to the United States, representing a decrease of 11 percent from June’s 2.22 million barrels. The decline came as other Arab exporters increased their supplies, with Iraq boosting exports by nearly 12 percent and Saudi Arabia edging higher by 1.5 percent.
The total value of crude imports from the four Arab states—Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, and Kuwait—reached approximately $1.32 billion in July. Within this framework, Libya’s contribution highlights its continued importance as a reliable, if fluctuating, source of supply to US refiners. For Libya, maintaining exports to the American market is strategically significant, both as a source of revenue and as part of its broader effort to diversify customers amid a volatile global oil market.
Despite the monthly drop, Libya’s role in US imports underscores the country’s place within Washington’s wider energy equation. While Canada and Mexico remain the top suppliers, Libya is one of the few African producers consistently present in the US market. The country’s exports are closely watched, given Libya’s fragile political situation and the impact instability could have on output and international supply chains.
On a yearly basis, US crude imports overall fell by nearly 10 percent compared to July 2024, with values declining as lower global prices cut import bills. Yet Libya’s continued oil sales to the United States illustrate how, even amid production challenges at home, the North African country remains tied to one of the world’s most important energy markets.
