U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #652: December 6, 2010
U.S. Crude Oil Production Rises

The production of crude oil in the U.S., including lease condensates, rose in 2009 for the first time since 1991. The general trend of declining oil production began in 1986 after a slight peak in 1985 of 8.97 million barrels per day. In 2008, the lowest point in the series, oil production was only 4.95 million barrels per day. The highest U.S. crude oil production was forty years ago in 1970.

Crude Oil Production in the U.S.
Line graph showing the U.S. crude oil production from 1960 to 2009. Production rose in 2009 for the first time since 1991. For more detailed information, see supporting information below.

Supporting Information

U.S. Production of Crude Oil (including Lease Condensate)
Year Million Barrels
per Day		   Year Million Barrels
per Day
1960 7.04   1985 8.97
1961 7.18   1986 8.68
1962 7.33   1987 8.35
1963 7.54   1988 8.14
1964 7.61   1989 7.61
1965 7.80   1990 7.36
1966 8.30   1991 7.42
1967 8.81   1992 7.17
1968 9.10   1993 6.85
1969 9.24   1994 6.66
1970 9.64   1995 6.56
1971 9.46   1996 6.46
1972 9.44   1997 6.45
1973 9.21   1998 6.25
1974 8.77   1999 5.88
1975 8.38   2000 5.82
1976 8.13   2001 5.80
1977 8.24   2002 5.75
1978 8.71   2003 5.68
1979 8.55   2004 5.42
1980 8.60   2005 5.18
1981 8.57   2006 5.10
1982 8.65   2007 5.06
1983 8.69   2008 4.95
1984 8.88   2009 5.36

Source: Source: Energy Information Administration, Crude Oil Production.

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