Monthly energy review

Monthly Energy Review, Nov, 1997 by Dianne R. Dunn, Michael Conner, Ann M. Ducca, Robert F. King, Mary L. Lilly, Melvin E. Johnson, Linda M. Bromley, Betty L. Williams, John R. Moens, Claudia Hernandez, Roy Kass, Kenneth M. McClevey, Patricia Smith, H. Vicky McLaine

November 1997

Section 1. Energy Overview

Energy production during August 1997 totaled 5.8 quadrillion Btu, a 1.8-percent decrease from the level of production during August 1996. Coal production decreased 4.9 percent, production of crude oil and natural gas plant liquids decreased 1.1 percent, and natural gas production increased 0.2 percent. All other forms of energy production combined were up 0.1 percent from the level of production during August 1996.

Energy consumption during August 1997 totaled 7.5 quadrillion Btu, 0.7 percent above the level of consumption during August 1996. Consumption of natural gas increased [TABULAR DATA FOR TABLE 1.1 OMITTED] 3.5 percent, consumption of coal rose 1.1 percent, and consumption of petroleum products was down 0.8 percent. Consumption of all other forms of energy combined increased 0.3 percent from the level 1 year earlier.

Net imports of energy during August 1997 totaled 1.7 quadrillion Btu, 1.3 percent below the level of net imports 1 year earlier. Net imports of natural gas were up 2.2 percent and net imports of petroleum increased 0.1 percent. Net exports of coal rose 16.7 percent from the level in August 1996.

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Energy Summary Notes

1. Energy Production: Production of energy includes production of coal, crude oil and lease condensate, natural gas plant liquids, natural gas (dry), electric utility and industrial production of hydroelectric power, and electricity generated from nuclear power. Production also includes electricity generated for distribution from wood, waste, geothermal, wind, photovoltaic, and solar thermal energy but excludes other energy obtained from those sources because consistent historical data are not available. Approximate heat contents (Btu values) are derived by using the conversion factors provided in Appendix A.

2. Energy Consumption: Consumption of energy includes consumption of coal, natural gas (including supplemental gaseous fuels), petroleum products supplied, electric utility and industrial production of hydroelectric power, net imports of electricity (assumed to be hydroelectricity), net imports of coal coke, and electricity generated from nuclear power. Consumption also includes electricity generated for distribution from geothermal, wood, waste, wind, photovoltaic, and solar thermal energy but excludes other energy obtained from those sources because consistent historical data are not available. Approximate heat contents (Btu values) are derived by using the conversion factors provided in Appendix A.

3. Energy Imports: Energy imports include imports of coal, crude oil (including crude oil imported for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve), petroleum products, natural gas, electricity (assumed to be hydroelectricity), and coal coke. Approximate heat contents (Btu values) are derived by using the conversion factors provided in Appendix A. For further information on electricity, see "Note for imports and exports of electricity" under Note 8 of Section 2, Energy Consumption Section Notes and Sources.

4. Energy Exports: Energy exports include coal, crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, electricity produced from hydroelectric power, and coal coke. Approximate heat contents (Btu values) are derived by using the conversion factors provided in Appendix A. For more information on electricity, see "Note for imports and exports of electricity" under Note 8 of Section 2, Energy Consumption Section Notes and Sources.

5. Merchandise Trade Value: Import data presented are based on the customs value. That value does not include insurance and freight and is consequently lower than the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value, which is also reported by the Bureau of the Census. All export data, and import data prior to 1981, are on a free alongside ship (f.a.s.) basis.

"Balance" is exports minus imports; a positive balance indicates a surplus trade value and a negative balance indicates a deficit trade value. "Energy" includes mineral fuels, lubricants, and related material. "Non-Energy Balance" and "Total Merchandise" include foreign exports (i.e., re-exports) and nonmonetary gold and Department of Defense Grant-Aid shipments. The "Non-Energy Balance" is calculated by subtracting the "Energy" from the "Total Merchandise Balance."

"Imports" consist of government and nongovernment shipments of merchandise into the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Foreign Trade Zones. They reflect the total arrival from foreign countries of merchandise that immediately entered consumption channels, warehouses, the Foreign Trade Zones, or the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. They exclude shipments between the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. possessions, shipments to U.S. Armed Forces and diplomatic missions abroad for their own use, U.S. goods returned to the United States by its Armed Forces, and in-transit shipments.