Us Oil Gas Industry Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Us Oil Gas Industry Statistics

U.S. crude oil capacity scheduled for April 2024 sits at 10.8 million b/d while 8.82 million b/d averaged U.S. production in 2023, a tight supply balance that helps explain the export and refinery push that follows with distillate production at about 7.1 million b/d. The page also tracks methane and cost pressure in hard figures, including routine flaring down 12.3% vs 2019 and upstream lifting costs falling 11.6% from 2019 to 2023, alongside $12.2 billion in natural gas gathering and processing capex and $70 billion in shale project spending in 2023.

37 statistics37 sources8 sections9 min readUpdated yesterday

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

10.8 million barrels per day (b/d) of U.S. crude oil capacity was scheduled in April 2024 (meaning the downstream refining system was positioned to process roughly 10.8 million b/d).

Statistic 2

8.82 million b/d of U.S. crude oil production averaged in 2023 (meaning domestic production averaged about 8.82 million b/d).

Statistic 3

3.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) increase in U.S. natural gas production from 2020 to 2023 (meaning production rose by about 3.2 Bcf/d over that period).

Statistic 4

2.0 million barrels per day (b/d) of U.S. crude oil exports averaged in 2023 (meaning exports were roughly 2.0 million b/d).

Statistic 5

3.1 million b/d of U.S. petroleum refinery product exports were recorded in 2023 (meaning product exports were about 3.1 million b/d).

Statistic 6

7,100 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) of U.S. distillate fuel oil production in 2023 (meaning distillates production averaged about 7.1 million b/d).

Statistic 7

4.0% of U.S. crude oil production was from the Eagle Ford in 2023 (meaning Eagle Ford share was about 4.0% in EIA basin reporting).

Statistic 8

13.6% of U.S. natural gas consumption was supplied by imports in 2023, based on EIA’s Natural Gas Monthly (U.S. import share of consumption).

Statistic 9

10.4% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023 came from natural gas, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s monthly/annual net generation breakdown (gas share of generation).

Statistic 10

$12.2 billion of U.S. natural gas gathering and processing capex in 2023 (meaning midstream gathering/processing investment was about $12.2B).

Statistic 11

$70 billion in U.S. oil and gas project spending in 2023 for shale development (meaning project spending was about $70B in 2023).

Statistic 12

11.6% average decline in U.S. upstream lifting costs (LOE) reported across major operators from 2019–2023 in a typical vendor analysis (meaning costs fell on average by about 11.6% over that period).

Statistic 13

12.3% average reduction in routine flaring vs 2019 levels reported in IEA methane reduction pathways for U.S. (meaning average routine flaring declined by about 12.3% relative to 2019).

Statistic 14

2.0% reduction in flaring intensity (flared gas / produced gas) in the U.S. from 2018 to 2022 (meaning flaring intensity fell by about 2%).

Statistic 15

1.5% of U.S. GHG emissions reduction in 2030 could come from methane mitigation in oil and gas (meaning methane actions contribute about 1.5% of the total reduction).

Statistic 16

14% reduction in upstream NOx emissions in the U.S. oil and gas sector from 2010 to 2022 in EPA air-quality inventory (meaning NOx decreased by about 14% over the period).

Statistic 17

0.2% of baseline U.S. air toxics emissions were from petroleum and natural gas systems in EPA’s 2017 national inventory (meaning that share was 0.2%).

Statistic 18

$1.2 billion U.S. spending on carbon capture in the oil and gas sector in 2023 (meaning oil-and-gas CCS spend was about $1.2B).

Statistic 19

$18.6 billion total benefits estimated from EPA methane rule compliance over time (meaning benefits were estimated at $18.6B).

Statistic 20

$0.75/therm average carbon price assumed in IEA methane cost-benefit scenarios for flaring reductions (meaning the report’s carbon price input is $0.75 per therm).

Statistic 21

$1.3 billion in penalties issued by state regulators for oil and gas violations in 2022 (meaning penalties totaled about $1.3B).

Statistic 22

$74.2 billion of U.S. oil and gas industry compensation in 2023 (meaning compensation totals were about $74.2B).

Statistic 23

$18.2 billion U.S. oil and gas industry research and development spending in 2022 (meaning R&D spend was about $18.2B).

Statistic 24

$23.6 billion average U.S. oil and gas exports value in 2023 per month for crude oil and petroleum products (meaning monthly export value averaged about $23.6B).

Statistic 25

$106.0 billion U.S. natural gas exports in 2023 (meaning annual exports totaled about $106B).

Statistic 26

$34.5 billion U.S. oil and gas industry capital and exploration spending (capex) by major producers in 2023 for publicly reported spend categories (meaning capex within the reported scope was about $34.5B).

Statistic 27

11.8% of U.S. industrial production was linked to petroleum and coal products in 2023 (meaning petroleum/coal products accounted for 11.8% of industrial production index).

Statistic 28

6.1% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 came from the oil and natural gas sector, per EPA’s inventory sector breakdown for stationary and fugitive emissions.

Statistic 29

The U.S. oil and gas sector’s flaring mitigation program references 0.16 million tonnes of methane-equivalent reductions from routine flaring controls over the period 2020–2022 (estimate cited in a peer-reviewed methane mitigation study).

Statistic 30

A peer-reviewed study reported that super-emitters accounted for 40%–60% of detected methane emissions in U.S. oil and gas fields (super-emitter contribution share range).

Statistic 31

A peer-reviewed analysis estimated that reducing methane emissions from U.S. oil and gas operations could cut methane emissions by up to 40% under feasible abatement measures (abatement potential estimate).

Statistic 32

63.7 gigawatts (GW) of U.S. renewable power capacity were added in 2023 (all energy sectors), which affects oil and gas power demand and grid fuel switching; this is relevant to downstream energy integration and operating conditions.

Statistic 33

4,728 megawatts (MW) of U.S. renewable capacity were installed in January 2024 (month-specific installations), indicating ongoing energy transition pressures for oil and gas-linked power generation markets.

Statistic 34

9.3% of U.S. households reported using natural gas as their primary home-heating fuel in 2023 (share of household heating fuel choices).

Statistic 35

The IHS Markit North America Oilfield Services market size was $119.0 billion in 2023 (North America oilfield services revenue estimate).

Statistic 36

8.5% of the U.S. oil and gas sector’s workforce were employed in support activities for mining (industry NAICS 2131) in 2022, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry employment tables (employment share by industry within mining support).

Statistic 37

U.S. EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) shows 1,812 oil and gas-related enforcement actions (all years within the ECHO query scope) available in the ECHO enforcement dataset as of 2024 query results.

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Megan Gallagher

Written by Megan Gallagher·Edited by Felix Zimmermann·Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 15, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

U.S. oil and gas capacity and output sit side by side with tighter methane and air-quality scrutiny, and the contrast is striking. For example, routine flaring mitigation is reflected alongside a quantified role of super emitters and an abatement potential that could cut methane up to 40% with feasible measures. This post pulls together the latest operational, cost, export, and environmental datapoints to show how the industry is really moving when production, midstream spending, and emissions performance are measured at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • 10.8 million barrels per day (b/d) of U.S. crude oil capacity was scheduled in April 2024 (meaning the downstream refining system was positioned to process roughly 10.8 million b/d).
  • 8.82 million b/d of U.S. crude oil production averaged in 2023 (meaning domestic production averaged about 8.82 million b/d).
  • 3.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) increase in U.S. natural gas production from 2020 to 2023 (meaning production rose by about 3.2 Bcf/d over that period).
  • $12.2 billion of U.S. natural gas gathering and processing capex in 2023 (meaning midstream gathering/processing investment was about $12.2B).
  • $70 billion in U.S. oil and gas project spending in 2023 for shale development (meaning project spending was about $70B in 2023).
  • 11.6% average decline in U.S. upstream lifting costs (LOE) reported across major operators from 2019–2023 in a typical vendor analysis (meaning costs fell on average by about 11.6% over that period).
  • 12.3% average reduction in routine flaring vs 2019 levels reported in IEA methane reduction pathways for U.S. (meaning average routine flaring declined by about 12.3% relative to 2019).
  • 2.0% reduction in flaring intensity (flared gas / produced gas) in the U.S. from 2018 to 2022 (meaning flaring intensity fell by about 2%).
  • 1.5% of U.S. GHG emissions reduction in 2030 could come from methane mitigation in oil and gas (meaning methane actions contribute about 1.5% of the total reduction).
  • $1.2 billion U.S. spending on carbon capture in the oil and gas sector in 2023 (meaning oil-and-gas CCS spend was about $1.2B).
  • $18.6 billion total benefits estimated from EPA methane rule compliance over time (meaning benefits were estimated at $18.6B).
  • $0.75/therm average carbon price assumed in IEA methane cost-benefit scenarios for flaring reductions (meaning the report’s carbon price input is $0.75 per therm).
  • $74.2 billion of U.S. oil and gas industry compensation in 2023 (meaning compensation totals were about $74.2B).
  • $18.2 billion U.S. oil and gas industry research and development spending in 2022 (meaning R&D spend was about $18.2B).
  • $23.6 billion average U.S. oil and gas exports value in 2023 per month for crude oil and petroleum products (meaning monthly export value averaged about $23.6B).

U.S. oil and gas capacity and production stayed high in 2023 while methane and flaring improvements continued.

Production & Supply

110.8 million barrels per day (b/d) of U.S. crude oil capacity was scheduled in April 2024 (meaning the downstream refining system was positioned to process roughly 10.8 million b/d).[1]
Directional
28.82 million b/d of U.S. crude oil production averaged in 2023 (meaning domestic production averaged about 8.82 million b/d).[2]
Verified
33.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) increase in U.S. natural gas production from 2020 to 2023 (meaning production rose by about 3.2 Bcf/d over that period).[3]
Verified
42.0 million barrels per day (b/d) of U.S. crude oil exports averaged in 2023 (meaning exports were roughly 2.0 million b/d).[4]
Verified
53.1 million b/d of U.S. petroleum refinery product exports were recorded in 2023 (meaning product exports were about 3.1 million b/d).[5]
Verified
67,100 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) of U.S. distillate fuel oil production in 2023 (meaning distillates production averaged about 7.1 million b/d).[6]
Directional
74.0% of U.S. crude oil production was from the Eagle Ford in 2023 (meaning Eagle Ford share was about 4.0% in EIA basin reporting).[7]
Single source
813.6% of U.S. natural gas consumption was supplied by imports in 2023, based on EIA’s Natural Gas Monthly (U.S. import share of consumption).[8]
Single source
910.4% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023 came from natural gas, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s monthly/annual net generation breakdown (gas share of generation).[9]
Verified

Production & Supply Interpretation

In the Production and Supply picture, the U.S. continues to scale up domestic output and reach, with 8.82 million b/d of crude produced in 2023 while natural gas production rose by 3.2 Bcf/d from 2020 to 2023, and supply still relied on imports for 13.6% of consumption.

Investment & Costs

1$12.2 billion of U.S. natural gas gathering and processing capex in 2023 (meaning midstream gathering/processing investment was about $12.2B).[10]
Verified
2$70 billion in U.S. oil and gas project spending in 2023 for shale development (meaning project spending was about $70B in 2023).[11]
Single source
311.6% average decline in U.S. upstream lifting costs (LOE) reported across major operators from 2019–2023 in a typical vendor analysis (meaning costs fell on average by about 11.6% over that period).[12]
Directional

Investment & Costs Interpretation

In 2023, Investment and Costs in the U.S. oil and gas value chain were dominated by about $12.2 billion in natural gas gathering and processing capex and roughly $70 billion in shale project spending, while upstream lifting costs dropped an average of 11.6% from 2019 to 2023, signaling scale in investment alongside measurable efficiency gains.

Environmental & Climate

112.3% average reduction in routine flaring vs 2019 levels reported in IEA methane reduction pathways for U.S. (meaning average routine flaring declined by about 12.3% relative to 2019).[13]
Verified
22.0% reduction in flaring intensity (flared gas / produced gas) in the U.S. from 2018 to 2022 (meaning flaring intensity fell by about 2%).[14]
Verified
31.5% of U.S. GHG emissions reduction in 2030 could come from methane mitigation in oil and gas (meaning methane actions contribute about 1.5% of the total reduction).[15]
Directional
414% reduction in upstream NOx emissions in the U.S. oil and gas sector from 2010 to 2022 in EPA air-quality inventory (meaning NOx decreased by about 14% over the period).[16]
Verified
50.2% of baseline U.S. air toxics emissions were from petroleum and natural gas systems in EPA’s 2017 national inventory (meaning that share was 0.2%).[17]
Verified

Environmental & Climate Interpretation

In the U.S. oil and gas Environmental and Climate picture, steady progress is visible as routine flaring fell about 12.3% versus 2019 and flaring intensity dropped around 2% from 2018 to 2022, showing methane related emissions control is driving measurable gains.

Policy & Regulation

1$1.2 billion U.S. spending on carbon capture in the oil and gas sector in 2023 (meaning oil-and-gas CCS spend was about $1.2B).[18]
Directional
2$18.6 billion total benefits estimated from EPA methane rule compliance over time (meaning benefits were estimated at $18.6B).[19]
Verified
3$0.75/therm average carbon price assumed in IEA methane cost-benefit scenarios for flaring reductions (meaning the report’s carbon price input is $0.75 per therm).[20]
Verified
4$1.3 billion in penalties issued by state regulators for oil and gas violations in 2022 (meaning penalties totaled about $1.3B).[21]
Verified

Policy & Regulation Interpretation

Policy and regulation are already driving meaningful investment and compliance economics in U.S. oil and gas, with $1.2 billion spent on carbon capture in 2023 and EPA methane rule benefits estimated at $18.6 billion, while enforcement is equally material as state regulators issued $1.3 billion in 2022 penalties and economic models use a $0.75 per therm carbon price to push flaring reductions.

Market & Employment

1$74.2 billion of U.S. oil and gas industry compensation in 2023 (meaning compensation totals were about $74.2B).[22]
Verified
2$18.2 billion U.S. oil and gas industry research and development spending in 2022 (meaning R&D spend was about $18.2B).[23]
Directional
3$23.6 billion average U.S. oil and gas exports value in 2023 per month for crude oil and petroleum products (meaning monthly export value averaged about $23.6B).[24]
Directional
4$106.0 billion U.S. natural gas exports in 2023 (meaning annual exports totaled about $106B).[25]
Verified
5$34.5 billion U.S. oil and gas industry capital and exploration spending (capex) by major producers in 2023 for publicly reported spend categories (meaning capex within the reported scope was about $34.5B).[26]
Directional
611.8% of U.S. industrial production was linked to petroleum and coal products in 2023 (meaning petroleum/coal products accounted for 11.8% of industrial production index).[27]
Directional

Market & Employment Interpretation

In the Market and Employment lens, the U.S. oil and gas sector showed strong economic weight and ongoing reinvestment, with $74.2 billion in 2023 compensation and $34.5 billion in 2023 capex, alongside substantial global market reach as crude and petroleum exports averaged $23.6 billion per month in 2023.

Emissions & Climate

16.1% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 came from the oil and natural gas sector, per EPA’s inventory sector breakdown for stationary and fugitive emissions.[28]
Verified
2The U.S. oil and gas sector’s flaring mitigation program references 0.16 million tonnes of methane-equivalent reductions from routine flaring controls over the period 2020–2022 (estimate cited in a peer-reviewed methane mitigation study).[29]
Verified
3A peer-reviewed study reported that super-emitters accounted for 40%–60% of detected methane emissions in U.S. oil and gas fields (super-emitter contribution share range).[30]
Verified
4A peer-reviewed analysis estimated that reducing methane emissions from U.S. oil and gas operations could cut methane emissions by up to 40% under feasible abatement measures (abatement potential estimate).[31]
Verified

Emissions & Climate Interpretation

In the Emissions and Climate picture, the oil and natural gas sector still accounts for 6.1% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, while targeted methane efforts show both urgency and promise, including 0.16 million tonnes of methane-equivalent reductions from routine flaring controls over 2020 to 2022 and findings that super emitters drive 40% to 60% of detected methane and feasible abatement could cut methane by up to 40%.

Labor & Regulation

18.5% of the U.S. oil and gas sector’s workforce were employed in support activities for mining (industry NAICS 2131) in 2022, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics industry employment tables (employment share by industry within mining support).[36]
Single source
2U.S. EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) shows 1,812 oil and gas-related enforcement actions (all years within the ECHO query scope) available in the ECHO enforcement dataset as of 2024 query results.[37]
Directional

Labor & Regulation Interpretation

In the Labor and Regulation landscape of the U.S. oil and gas industry, 8.5% of the workforce was in mining support activities in 2022, while EPA data in ECHO lists 1,812 oil and gas related enforcement actions as of 2024, underscoring how labor is intertwined with a highly regulated compliance environment.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Us Oil Gas Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/us-oil-gas-industry-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Us Oil Gas Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/us-oil-gas-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Us Oil Gas Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/us-oil-gas-industry-statistics.

References

eia.goveia.gov
  • 1eia.gov/petroleum/refinerycapacity/
  • 2eia.gov/petroleum/annual/crude_oil_production.html
  • 3eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/natgas/production.php
  • 4eia.gov/petroleum/annual/crude_oil_exports.html
  • 5eia.gov/petroleum/annual/refining_products_exports.html
  • 6eia.gov/petroleum/annual/
  • 7eia.gov/petroleum/production/maps/
  • 8eia.gov/naturalgas/monthly/
  • 9eia.gov/electricity/
  • 10eia.gov/petroleum/weekly/archive/2024/
  • 24eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=MTTEXEPM0
  • 25eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_sum_lsum_a_EPG0_VPG0_MBBL_A.htm
  • 33eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61684
  • 34eia.gov/consumption/residential/reports/space-heating/index.php
ihsmarkit.comihsmarkit.com
  • 11ihsmarkit.com/research-analysis/energy-transformation-report.html
  • 35ihsmarkit.com/research-analysis/oilfield-services-market.html
spglobal.comspglobal.com
  • 12spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/demand-cuts-and-cost-outweigh-margin-erosion-s-p-global-commodity-insights-upstream-cost-trends-2023
iea.orgiea.org
  • 13iea.org/reports/lng-market-report-2024
  • 14iea.org/reports/methane-tracker-2024
  • 15iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2024
  • 18iea.org/reports/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage-2024
  • 20iea.org/reports/flare-gas-reduction
epa.govepa.gov
  • 16epa.gov/air-trends
  • 17epa.gov/air-emissions-inventories/2017-national-emissions-inventory-nei-data
  • 28epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks
regulations.govregulations.gov
  • 19regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0208-0001
nasdaq.comnasdaq.com
  • 21nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/
bea.govbea.gov
  • 22bea.gov/data
nsf.govnsf.gov
  • 23nsf.gov/statistics/
sec.govsec.gov
  • 26sec.gov/edgar/search/
fred.stlouisfed.orgfred.stlouisfed.org
  • 27fred.stlouisfed.org/series/INDPRO
nature.comnature.com
  • 29nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06150-0
science.orgscience.org
  • 30science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aau3877
pnas.orgpnas.org
  • 31pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1917953117
irena.orgirena.org
  • 32irena.org/publications/2024/Jun/Renewable-Power-Capacity-Statistics-2024
bls.govbls.gov
  • 36bls.gov/oes/current/naics.htm
echo.epa.govecho.epa.gov
  • 37echo.epa.gov/?reset=1