BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 2. In 2023, the United States achieved a record in energy production, reaching nearly 103 quadrillion British thermal units (quads), a 4% increase from the previous year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Trend reports.
During the same period, energy consumption in the country declined by 1% to 94 quads. This resulted in production exceeding consumption by 9 quads, the largest surplus in recorded history dating back to 1949.
The rise in energy production was primarily driven by growth in natural gas and crude oil output. Dry natural gas production increased by 4% in 2023 to a record 39 quads, reflecting a 58% rise since 2013. Crude oil production grew by 9% from 2022, reaching 27 quads, a 69% increase over the past decade. Additionally, production of natural gas plant liquids, a byproduct of natural gas processing, rose by 8% to 8 quads in 2023, marking a 143% increase since 2013.
Renewable energy production also reached new highs, increasing by 1% from 2022 to 8 quads, a 28% rise since 2013. Solar energy led the renewable sector with a 15% increase, contributing nearly 1 quad. Biomass energy production grew by 2% to over 5 quads, while wind energy production declined by 2% to approximately 1.5 quads, largely due to slower wind speeds in 2023.
U.S. energy consumption has fluctuated between 89 and 97 quads annually since peaking at 99 quads in 2007. In 2023, consumption of petroleum and natural gas—the country’s most-used energy sources—remained steady compared to 2022. However, coal consumption dropped significantly, falling 17% to 8 quads, the lowest level since the 19th century, largely due to reduced coal use for electricity generation.
The EIA uses British thermal units (Btu) as a standard measure to compare various energy sources, including noncombustible renewables like solar and hydroelectric power, which are converted using a constant value of 3,412 Btu per kilowatt-hour.
These trends highlight a growing shift in U.S. energy dynamics, with increasing reliance on natural gas, crude oil, and renewables, coupled with a steady decline in coal consumption.