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 about 1.12 million barrels of oil per day in 2021, 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. In fact, for the first time since at least 1949, the U.S. became a net exporter. In 2020, annual petroleum net imports were actually negative (at -0.65 MMb/d), the first time this occurred since at least 1949.
Energy security also allows an additional $400 billion to stay in the U.S. economy each year.
BARRELS PER DAY
MCF GAS PER DAY
How does North Dakota’s production compare on a global scale?
Nearly 100 countries in the world produce oil, but in 2020, five countries accounted for about 50% of the world’s total crude oil production.
Through 2020, 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.
2020 CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION
(including lease condensate)
| Ranking | Country | Barrels Per Day |
| 1 | United States | 11,307,562 |
| 2 | Russia | 9,865,421 |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 9,405,666 |
| Texas | 4,772,000 | |
| 4 | Canada | 4,180,437 |
| 5 | Iraq | 4,088,218 |
| 6 | China | 3,888,989 |
| 7 | United Arab Emirates | 3,138,223 |
| 8 | Brazil | 2,939,950 |
| 9 | Iran | 2,643,838 |
| 10 | Kuwait | 2,544,513 |
| 11 | Nigeria | 1,774,629 |
| 12 | Kazakhstan | 1,756,673 |
| 13 | Norway | 1,713,045 |
| 14 | Mexico | 1,710,260 |
| Gulf Offshore | 1,644,000 | |
| 15 | Qatar | 1,274,483 |
| 16 | Angola | 1,256,672 |
| North Dakota | 1,188,000 |
| Ranking | Country | Barrels Per Day |
| 17 | Algeria | 1,122,432 |
| New Mexico | 1,012,000 | |
| 18 | Oman | 948,905 |
| 19 | United Kingdom | 947,243 |
| 20 | Colombia | 781,078 |
| 21 | Indonesia | 708,257 |
| 22 | Azerbaijan | 694,819 |
| 23 | India | 627,419 |
| 24 | Egypt | 586,735 |
| 25 | Malaysia | 555,695 |
| 26 | Venezuela | 527,063 |
| 27 | Argentina | 480,021 |
| 28 | Ecuador | 479,371 |
| Oklahoma | 469,000 | |
| Colorado | 459,000 | |
| Alaska | 448,000 | |
| 29 | Libya | 408,074 |
| California | 391,000 | |
| 30 | Australia | 351,193 |
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