Germany increases energy imports

BERLIN, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Germany's dependence on energy imports has increased since 2007.

According to a study by the Federal Office for Earth Sciences and Raw Materials, the domestic production of mineral oil, hard coal and natural gas is declining in Germany, Die Welt reported.

"Today a car tank fully loaded with 50 liters of gasoline contains only about one liter from domestic oil production -- with a declining tendency," said Professor Hans-Joachim Kuempel, president of the federal office.

Even with consumption of petroleum in Germany diminishing since 1997 -- from 196 million to 160 million tons of coal equivalents -- German domestic production still provides for only about 3 percent of demand.

Germany's dependence on imports of natural gas also increased from 76 percent to 82 percent since 2007.