Global oil exporters 2021, by region

As a region, the Middle East is the largest exporter of oil in the world, at approximately 14 million barrels per day in 2021. The Asia-Pacific region exported the second largest amount of oil, though roughly half as much as the Middle East.

High production in the Middle East

Approximately one-third of global oil production comes from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia alone accounts for more than 12 percent, with Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates each holding between four and five percent shares of global crude oil production. Many Middle Eastern countries belong to OPEC, which holds significant influence by setting oil prices as a unit. Founded in Iraq in 1960, OPEC stands for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and today includes 13 member nations.

The U.S. and Russia lead for exports

Outside the Middle East, the U.S. and Russia are the leading exporting countries, with around eight million barrels per day exported in 2021. While Russia's part in the global exports landscape has been established for many years, with its export volume remaining relatively stable in the past decade, the United States stands out as the new kid on the block. Since 2010, petroleum exports from the U.S. have nearly quadrupled, surpassing Saudi Arabia in 2021.