The oil and natural gas found right here in North Dakota is getting us closer to energy independence, allowing the U.S. to lessen dependence on foreign energy sources. North Dakota produces on average more than 1 million barrels of oil per day in 2022, making it the number three oil producer in the U.S. behind only Texas and New Mexico.
North Dakota’s rise as a leader in oil production has helped the country as a whole become the world’s No. 1 producer in both oil and natural gas, strengthening the nation’s energy security.
The industry has also grown more efficient over the past two decades. The average rig in 2006 could drill just nine wells with an initial production of 23,600 barrels while the average rig in 2022 drilled 21 wells with average initial production of 117,500 barrels.
North Dakota’s oil and gas industry has had a tremendous impact on the state’s economy. Learn more about the economic impacts here.
BARRELS PER DAY
MCF GAS PER DAY
How does North Dakota's production compare on a global scale?
Through 2021, the United States was the world's largest oil producer, and Texas alone would rank as the fourth largest producer in the world while North Dakota ranked in the top 20 world producers.
This graph shows just how important North Dakota is to our nation's energy security.
2021 CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION
(including lease condensate)
| Ranking | Country | Barrels Per Day |
| 1 | United States | 11,254,000 |
| 2 | Russia | 10,112,000 |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 9,313,000 |
| Texas | 4,766,000 | |
| 4 | Canada | 4,439,000 |
| 5 | Iraq | 4,085,000 |
| 6 | China | 3,988,000 |
| 7 | Iran | 3,110,000 |
| 8 | United Arab Emirates | 3,091,000 |
| 9 | Brazil | 2,905,000 |
| 10 | Kuwait | 2,527,000 |
| 11 | Norway | 1,776,000 |
| 12 | Kazakhstan | 1,761,000 |
| 13 | Norway | 1,713,045 |
| 14 | Mexico | 1,734,000 |
| Gulf Offshore | 1,707,000 | |
| 15 | Qatar | 1,304,000 |
| New Mexico | 1,253,000 | |
| 16 | Libya | 1,238,000 |
| Ranking | Country | Barrels Per Day |
| 17 | Algeria | 1,134,000 |
| 18 | Angola | 1,127,000 |
| North Dakota | 1,110,000 | |
| 19 | Oman | 971,000 |
| 20 | United Kingdom | 809,000 |
| 21 | Colombia | 736,000 |
| 22 | Azerbaijan | 711,000 |
| 23 | Indonesia | 659,000 |
| 24 | India | 611,000 |
| 25 | Venezuela | 595,000 |
| 26 | Egypt | 561,000 |
| 27 | Malaysia | 511,000 |
| 28 | Argentina | 507,000 |
| 29 | Ecuador | 473,000 |
| Alaska | 437,000 | |
| Colorado | 420,000 | |
| Oklahoma | 392,000 | |
| California | 369,000 | |
| 30 | Australia | 334,000 |
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