Russia largest oil supplier for the Netherlands

One third of total Dutch imports of crude oil came from Russia in 2010, followed at a distance by the United Kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s importance has waned in recent years.

Imports crude oil, top 10 import countries

Imports crude oil, top 10 import countries

Market shares shifting

In 2000, Saudi Arabia was still the largest import country of crude oil for the Netherlands. Russia’s growing importance has reduced the market shares of the United Kingdom, Norway and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.

Save Russia, Africa has also emerged as an important oil-producing region in recent years. Nigeria was the fifth largest import country of crude oil for the Netherlands in 2010. With 53 million tons, the total volume of crude oil imported by the Netherlands has hardly changed over the past decade.

New oil fields in Russia

Russia’s total crude oil extraction has grown over the period 2000-2010 as a result of the development of new oil fields and state-of-the-art production technology. The Persian Gulf states also produce more oil. Today, emerging economies like China and India have taken the place of Europe as the largest importers of oil produced in the Arab region. Oil consumption in the Arab countries has also increased considerably.

Crude oil extraction in the Netherlands

The extraction of crude oil in the Netherlands was reduced to 1 million tons last year. The restart of production in the Schoonebeek field will boost Dutch oil production. The anticipated production for the next two decades is approximately 17 million tons. The average annual production will increase by more than 0.8 million tons. The record production of 4.6 million tons in 1986 will not be exceeded.

Price developments crude oil, producer prices

Price developments crude oil, producer prices

Crude oil price rapidly rising

The price of a barrel of crude oil has more than doubled in the past two years as a result of the growing worldwide demand for motor fuels, the expansion of the petrochemical industry and the recent turmoil in the Middle East.

Sander Brummelkamp and Ram Sardjoepersad