Crude oil imports are up 25.3% in April from that country, which already occupies that position in the case of gas after the war in Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has completely changed Spain’s energy supply puzzle to ensure supplies in the coming months. In May, the United States became the largest supplier of oil, exporting 5.38 million tons, which is 25% more than the same period last year, according to statistics updated by the Strategic Reserves Corporation of Petroleum Products (Cores). .
In April, 38 types of crude oil were imported from 18 countries, with the United States, with 808,000 tons and 15% of the total, being the main supplier of crude oil to Spain this month, up 332.3% year-on-year. years and represented the highest imports from this country since data became available. It was followed by Libya, with 695,000 tons and 12.9% of the total, up 45.8% compared to the same month last year; and Nigeria, with 644,000 tons and 12% of the total, increasing deliveries by 26.0%.
These changes in suppliers parallel the price crisis the energy market is experiencing, with oil set to remain close to $119 a barrel this Tuesday. Meanwhile, the price of petrol is above 2.10 euros per liter and that of diesel at two euros per litre. All pending the government’s decision on the anti-crisis plan regarding the bonus of 20 cents per liter filled, which will be in effect from April 1 to June 30.
Crude oil imports from OPEC member countries grew 34.7% in the month compared to April 2021, representing 46.2% of the total.
Year-on-year increases were recorded in crude oil inflows from all Member States, with Algeria standing out with the highest year-on-year increase, growing 132.5% and accounting for 5.2% of the total.
By geographic area, Africa was the main supply area in the month, up 43.8% compared to the same month last year, accounting for 37% of the total. North America followed, with 27.1% of the total; Europe and Eurasia (14.7%), the Middle East (13.5%) and Central and South America (7.8%).
In the case of gas, with April data in hand, the United States had already established itself as the main supplier in Spain. And other regions whose contribution was almost residual until two months ago, such as Nigeria, Egypt or Qatar, among others, are increasing their exports.
In particular, gas from the United States represented 30.7% of all imports of this product in April, arriving via methane tankers at one of the six regasification plants in Spain. On average, the US economy has been supplying one-third of the gas consumed by Spain so far this year. Until a year ago, he was only injecting 20%.
Behind it are imports from Algeria, via the Mezgas gas pipeline, which connects that country to Almeria. It represents 23.4% of the total in April, a figure lower than what this strategic partner usually represented in energy. Up to 40% of the gas Spain needed came from Algiers last year. But the closure of the gas pipeline, closed since November 2021, connecting that area to Cádiz via Morocco, has cut imports from this supplier by a third.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
