Energy production during December 2005 totaled 5.8 quadrillion Btu, a 4.2-percent decrease compared with the level of production during December 2004. Production of crude oil decreased 8.1 percent; natural gas (dry) decreased 3.0 percent; conventional hydroelectric power decreased 15.2 percent; nuclear electric power increased 4.6 percent; and coal decreased 2.8 percent; compared with the level of production during December 2004.

Energy consumption during December 2005 totaled 9.2 quadrillion Btu, slightly lower than the level of consumption during December 2004. Consumption of conventional hydroelectric power decreased 15.2 percent; natural gas decreased 0.3 percent; petroleum increased 1.0 percent; coal increased 0.4 percent; and nuclear electric power increased 4.6 percent, compared with the level 1 year earlier.

Net imports of energy during December 2005 totaled 2.5 quadrillion Btu, 2.0 percent above the level of net imports 1 year earlier. Petroleum products net imports increased 42.8 percent; natural gas net imports decreased 15.3 percent; crude oil net imports decreased 1.0 percent; and coal net exports decreased 7.3 percent, compared with the level in December 2004.