January 15, 2006	Sunday	Zilhaj 14, 1426

WASHINGTON, Jan 14: US crude oil imports in November jumped 5.8 per cent to 9.924 million barrels per day, with Nigeria knocking Venezuela out of the top four suppliers for the second month in a row, the Energy Information Administration said on Friday.

Total November oil imports increased by 544,000 bpd from October, based on preliminary data from importing companies provided to the Energy Department’s analytical arm.

There were no changes in the order of November’s top five suppliers from October.

Canada’s oil exports to the United States averaged 1.776 million bpd in November, up 283,000 bpd from October.

Mexico was the second biggest November supplier with exports of 1.543 million bpd, up 75,000 bpd from the month before.

Saudi Arabia was in third place, with shipments of 1.231 million bpd, up 51,000 bpd.

In a rare move, Nigeria stayed ahead of Venezuela for the No. 4 spot for the second month, exporting 1.163m bpd, up 69,000 bpd from October.—Reuters