World crude production weakened in 2007, with a drop of a little under 0.4% in relation to 2006. In comparison, in 2006 it had grown by 0.2 per cent.
This slight decline appears to be a clear reaction to the increased prices, which is indicative of a demand-price elasticity of more than one and a degree of energy saving.
The countries of the former USSR saw the largest increase (2.3%) in crude extracted, followed by Africa. Western Europe put 6.4% less oil on the market than in the previous year, a fact which is consistent with the trend and with the development of its reserves level.
Data supplied by Oil and Gas Journal place Russia at the head of world oil production, with 9.7 million barrels/day. In second place is Saudi Arabia (8.4 million), then the United States (5.1). Next in line are Iran (3.9), China (3.7), Mexico (3.1) and Canada with 2.6 million barrels a day.