Which country is the world's largest crude oil producer as of 2023?

The United States was the world's largest crude oil producer in 2023.

U.S. Energy Information Administration data show that American crude oil production, including lease condensate, averaged about 12.9 million barrels per day in 2023. That surpassed the previous U.S. record of 12.3 million barrels per day set in 2019 and kept the country ahead of Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The rise was driven largely by high production from shale and tight-oil regions, including the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico. The United States has led global crude production for several consecutive years, although monthly rankings can change when countries alter output or experience disruptions.

A common mix-up is treating “largest producer” as “largest exporter.” The United States produces the most crude, while countries such as Saudi Arabia may rank higher in exports because their domestic consumption and refining patterns differ. Production rankings also vary depending on whether natural-gas liquids and other petroleum liquids are included.