Coke

Coke is the hard and porous residue left after certain types of bituminous coals are heated to high temperatures (up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 17 hours. It is blackish-gray and has a metallic luster. The residue is mostly carbon. Coke is used as a reducing agent in the smelting of pig iron and the production of steel. Petroleum coke is made from the heavy tar-like residue of the petroleum refining process. It is used primarily to generate electricity.

Supply - Production of petroleum coke in the U.S. in 2007 fell by -3.0% yr/yr to 300.623 million barrels. That was down from last year's 3-decade high of 309.980 and far below the U.S. production record of 369.305 million barrels posted back in 1957.

U.S. stocks of coke at coke plants (Dec 31) in 2006 rose by +11.6% yr/yr to 685,000 short tons.

Trade - U.S. coke exports in 2006 fell by -7.5% to 1.616 million tons, and almost one-half of those exports were to Canada. U.S. coke imports in 2006 rose by +15.3% yr/yr to 4.068 million short tons. About 21% of the imports were from Japan.