The FINANCIAL -- Global crude oil and lease condensate production increased 24%, or over 14 million barrels per day (bbl/d), between 1980 and 2010.

Although the Middle East was the largest regional producer and grew by 23% over that period, or over 4 million bbl/d, the region's share of global crude oil production was at 31% in both 1980 and 2010. Central & South America, Africa, and Asia grew most rapidly, increasing their combined share of total crude oil production from 23% in 1980 to 32% in 2010.

North America's crude oil production decreased about 1 million bbl/d between 1980 and 2010—the only region with declining crude oil production. As a result, North America's share of global growing oil production fell from 20% in 1980 to 15% in 2010. More recently, however, the United States has reversed a decades-long decline in crude oil production.

North Dakota and Texas led recent U.S. crude oil production gains. Average annual production, which dipped below 5.0 million bbl/d in 2008, climbed to 5.4 million bbl/d in 2009 and 5.5 million bbl/d in 2010, with 2010 volumes representing an 11% increase over 2008. In October 2011, preliminary data showed that U.S. crude oil production averaged 5.8 million bbl/d.

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