Asia-Pacific economies took on more crude oil from OPEC in 2013 than any other region in the world, the organization said in an annual report published Friday.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said Asia-Pacific economies imported an average 14.3 million barrels of OPEC crude oil per day in 2013, or 59.3 percent of the oil exported by member states.

Asian economies are growing at a faster rate than other major markets. OPEC said in its 97-page annual report oil demand rose most notably in China, Thailand and Indonesia.

Europe, which is still struggling to emerge from recession, took an average 4.1 million bpd of OPEC crude last year, or 17.2 percent of its output, while North American imported an average 3.9 million bpd, or 16.3 percent of OPEC's crude.

Oil production from North America, the United States in particular, has increased to the point that markets there are less reliant on foreign sources of crude oil.

Total world crude oil production, however, increased by 0.1 percent from 2012 figures, though output from the 12 members of OPEC was down 2.5 percent year-on-year.

"The overall OPEC share of total global production in 2013 averaged at 43.4 percent, slightly lower than in 2012, when it was 44.6 percent," the report said.

U.S. oil production not yet at parity with imports
Washington (UPI) Jul 18, 2013 –

Data from the American Petroleum Institute show the United States is importing more crude oil than it produces from domestic reserves.

API said U.S. crude oil production increased 15.6 percent year-on-year last month to average 8.3 million barrels per day, the highest level for June in 28 years.

Total oil imports, meanwhile, declined 5.7 percent from the previous year to average 9.2 million barrels per day, which API said was the lowest level for June since 1993.

API Chief Economist John Felmy said the data show the United States is getting closer to energy independence.

"Increased U.S. production in recent years has provided an almost barrel-for-barrel counterweight to various disruptions in global supply from overseas," he said in a statement.

In terms of the strength of the domestic economy, API said total U.S. petroleum deliveries, an indication of demand, increased 1.5 percent year-on-year, with demand during the second quarter increasing 1.5 percent when compared to the same time last year.

Production for gasoline, which accounts for much of the petroleum used in the United States, was at its second-highest level ever recorded in June. Demand for gasoline increased 4 percent in June year-on-year.