- Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place.
China Oil Production was 4.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2023, up 2.1% on 2022. The Oil Production dataset of China from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country's oil production landscape, highlighting output trends, production levels, supply changes, industry performance, and annual market developments over the observed period.
China Oil Production moved from 4.31 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 to 4.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2023 (−2.6%), an average of −0.3% a year. The series high was 4.31 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 and the low 3.80 Million Barrels Daily in 2018.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2018) is 0.507 Million Barrels Daily. The sharpest single-year move was −7.2% in 2016.
Among the 27 countries in this dataset, China ranks 5 for 2023, behind U.S. (19.36 Million Barrels Daily) and Saudi Arabia (11.39 Million Barrels Daily). It accounts for 4.4% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Barrels Daily.
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| Year | Million Barrels Daily | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.20 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 4.11 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 3.99 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 3.90 | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 3.85 | +1.2% |
| 2018 Trough | 3.80 | −1.1% |
| 2017 | 3.85 | −3.8% |
| 2016 | 4.00 | −7.2% |
| 2015Peak | 4.31 | — |
Regional context
Oil Production by country, 2023, Million Barrels Daily. China is highlighted.
Data definition
Oil Production — - Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the output of crude petroleum from both conventional and unconventional sources. This indicator reflects a country’s upstream oil industry performance, resource availability, and role in global energy supply. It is widely used to assess production trends, energy security, and dependence on oil resources for economic development.
The data includes crude oil extracted from both onshore and offshore oil fields, covering production from conventional wells as well as unconventional sources such as tight oil and shale oil where applicable. It includes all crude oil produced at the wellhead before refining, processing, or blending. The indicator may also include lease condensate when reported as part of crude oil production in national energy statistics. Data is compiled from national energy agencies, oil companies, and standardized international energy databases, ensuring consistency in comparing production levels across countries and over time.
The data excludes refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, LPG, and other products derived from crude oil after refining. It does not include natural gas production, natural gas liquids (except where classified as condensate under crude oil reporting), biofuels, synthetic crude from coal-to-liquids or gas-to-liquids processes, or refinery gains. The indicator does not measure oil consumption, reserves, imports, exports, or refining capacity. Minor variations may arise due to differences in national reporting standards, classification of condensates, and estimation methodologies used across countries.
Oil Production — - Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the output of crude petroleum from both conventional and unconventional sources. This indicator reflects a country’s upstream oil industry performance, resource availability, and role in global energy supply. It is widely used to assess production trends, energy security, and dependence on oil resources for economic development.
Measured in million barrels daily, the dataset reflects total oil production and serves as an important indicator of upstream activity, domestic energy supply, investment trends, resource development, and the overall performance of China's petroleum sector. The dataset also supports evaluation of national energy security initiatives and the effectiveness of policies aimed at sustaining domestic crude oil production.
China produced 4.31 million barrels daily in 2015 before declining to 4.00 million in 2016, 3.85 million in 2017, and 3.80 million barrels daily in 2018. The decline reflected lower investment in mature fields and production optimization following weaker global oil prices. Production recovered gradually to 3.85 million barrels daily in 2019, 3.90 million in 2020, 3.99 million in 2021, 4.11 million in 2022, and 4.20 million barrels daily in 2023. The steady recovery was supported by increased upstream investment, enhanced oil recovery technologies, expanded exploration activities, and government initiatives promoting higher domestic crude oil production.
Overall, the dataset illustrates an initial production decline followed by a sustained recovery during the latter half of the review period. Although output remained slightly below the 2015 level by 2023, the improving trend demonstrates China's continued commitment to strengthening domestic production, reducing import dependence, and supporting long-term energy security through sustained investment and technological advancement.
The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring national oil production performance, evaluating supply trends, assessing upstream investment, supporting market analysis, forecasting future production, and enabling policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders to develop effective energy strategies and production planning.
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Definition- Oil Production refers to the total amount of crude oil extracted from underground reservoirs within a country during a given year, before any refining or processing takes place. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the output of crude petroleum from both conventional and unconventional sources. This indicator reflects a country’s upstream oil industry performance, resource availability, and role in global energy supply. It is widely used to assess production trends, energy security, and dependence on oil resources for economic development.
China Oil Production was 4.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2023, up 2.1% on 2022.
China Oil Production moved from 4.31 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 to 4.20 Million Barrels Daily in 2023 (−2.6%), an average of −0.3% a year. The series high was 4.31 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 and the low 3.80 Million Barrels Daily in 2018.
The highest value was 4.31 Million Barrels Daily in 2015 and the lowest was 3.80 Million Barrels Daily in 2018.
Included: The data includes crude oil extracted from both onshore and offshore oil fields, covering production from conventional wells as well as unconventional sources such as tight oil and shale oil where applicable. It includes all crude oil produced at the wellhead before refining, processing, or blending. The indicator may also include lease condensate when reported as part of crude oil production in national energy statistics. Data is compiled from national energy agencies, oil companies, and standardized international energy databases, ensuring consistency in comparing production levels across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, LPG, and other products derived from crude oil after refining. It does not include natural gas production, natural gas liquids (except where classified as condensate under crude oil reporting), biofuels, synthetic crude from coal-to-liquids or gas-to-liquids processes, or refinery gains. The indicator does not measure oil consumption, reserves, imports, exports, or refining capacity. Minor variations may arise due to differences in national reporting standards, classification of condensates, and estimation methodologies used across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Barrels Daily.
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