U.S. oil production highest in 14 years, Texas still top producer

Texas remains the most productive state for crude oil.

Driven by output in North Dakota, Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, domestic crude oil production hit its highest mark in 14 years during the first quarter of 2012, according to information from the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

Total U.S. production for the quarter topped 6 million barrels per day. After steady production between 5.5 million and 5.6 million barrels per day during the first three quarters of 2011, average oil production shot up to 5.9 million barrels per day during the fourth quarter and ultimately surpassed 6 million barrels per day during the first part of this year, the EIA said in its May Petroleum Supply Monthly Report.

Although Texas remains the No. 1 spot for production in the U.S., after passing California in December 2011 to become the third-largest oil producing state, North Dakota then jumped ahead of Alaska in March 2012 as the state with the second-largest oil output.

Deon covers energy and law for the Houston Business Journal.

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