U.S. hits record exports of diesel, other distillate fuels

American distillate fuel exports hit a record high in April, as production grew and imports fell to the lowest in 27 years, according to a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In April, the United States shipped a net 981,000 barrels of distillate fuels per day—primarily diesel and heating oil. For comparison, The Houston Chronicle reports that’s nearly as much gasoline as the U.S. uses every three hours. The country began transforming from a net importer of distillates to a net exporter in 2008, as fossil fuel production started to surge and the domestic energy needs slowed amid the economic recession. The nation’s gross daily distillate fuel exports were up 29% during the first four months of the year, compared to the same period in 2011. Meanwhile, imports fell 42%. April marked the lowest import volumes since 1985. Global demand for distillate fuels, meanwhile, has grown as developing economies have expanded in recent years, according to the International Energy Agency. Mexico and South America have been the United States’ biggest customers, attracting 60% of its distillate exports. Refineries in those regions haven’t kept up with robust demand growth.