12/08/31 16:44:19.98 u0yxgoF+
オバマ政権は「中東からの輸入原油への依存から脱却」すると公言しているものの、
実際にはカナダからのオイルサンドのパイプラインの承認見送り、オフショアや
オンショアの国内石油開発許可の遅れ（環境保護団体に配慮）など、一連の非合
理の政策のために、実際にはサウジアラビアからの石油輸入比率が増加しつつあ
る、と言う評論
グラフ：ペルシャ湾岸諸国及びサウジアラビアからのアメリカの原油輸入の推移
URLﾘﾝｸ(www.instituteforenergyresearch.org)
During the first five months of this year, oil imports from the Persian Gulf
increased by 33 percent compared to the first five months of 2011. This was
mainly due to an increase of oil imports from Saudi Arabia of 29 percent.
At the same time, our total oil imports fell by 6 percent. Thus, the Persian
Gulf’s share of U.S. oil imports is up 6 percentage points?from 15 percent
for the first 5 months of last year to 21 percent for the first 5 months of
this year?and the share of our oil imports from Saudi Arabia is up 4 percentage
points, from 10 percent to 14 percent.[ii]
・・・・
Conclusion
Oil imports from the Persian Gulf have increased significantly this year due
to decreased oil production from the federal waters off the Gulf of Mexico,
declining production of crude oil in Mexico and Venezuela, lack of pipelines
to import more Canadian oil, and the configuration of Gulf Coast refineries
to process heavy crude oils. The Obama Administration seems to be untroubled
by this direction since it feels it can use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
in the event of a crisis. However, the Obama Administration can take positive
steps now by approving the Keystone Pipeline, opening more federal lands to
oil production, and creating an environment that promotes oil and gas drilling.
Taking those steps, the United States could be almost independent of overseas
oil within 15 years.