Fossil Fuels
The US is the world's largest producer of oil and natural gas. The shale revolution, which began around 2008, transformed the energy landscape — natural gas production has roughly doubled while coal output has fallen by nearly half. In 2024, Wyoming led coal production.
How has fossil fuel production changed?
Since the shale revolution began, US fossil fuel production has diverged dramatically. Natural gas and crude oil surged to record highs while coal entered a steep decline, displaced by cheaper gas and growing renewables. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a brief dip in 2020, but production quickly rebounded.
US Fossil Fuel Production Over Time
National annual totals
Sources & methodology
US fossil fuel production has evolved significantly. The shale revolution (post-2008) drove natural gas and crude oil to record levels, while coal production has declined steadily as power plants switch to cheaper gas and renewables.
Units differ by fuel type: coal (short tons), natural gas (million cubic feet), crude oil (thousand barrels). When "All Fuels" is selected, values are indexed to the first available year (= 100) to enable fair cross-fuel comparison despite different units.
Values indexed to first available year (= 100) to enable comparison across fuels with different units.
Where is production concentrated?
Fossil fuel production is highly concentrated in a handful of states. Wyoming alone produces roughly 40% of US coal from the Powder River Basin. Meanwhile, the shift from coal to gas for electricity generation has reshaped the power sector.
Top 10 Coal Producing States (2024)
short tons
Sources & methodology
Fossil fuel production is highly concentrated geographically. Wyoming alone produces roughly 40% of US coal, primarily from Powder River Basin surface mines.
State-level production data may include estimates for months not yet reported. Rankings can shift year-to-year based on market conditions and weather.
Electricity Generation from Fossil Fuels
Thousand megawatt-hours by fuel type, annual
Sources & methodology
How much electricity does each fossil fuel generate? Coal-fired generation has declined sharply since its peak around 2007, while natural gas generation has surged. Petroleum (oil) plays a minimal and declining role in US electricity generation.
Generation data represents net generation at utility-scale power plants. Combined heat and power (CHP) facilities are included. Some natural gas generation comes from plants that can also burn oil as backup fuel.
US natural gas production has roughly doubled since 2008, while coal output has declined by nearly half — a seismic shift driven by the shale revolution.
Has the US achieved energy independence?
For decades the US was a major net importer of both petroleum and natural gas. The shale revolution changed that. Surging domestic production slashed petroleum net imports and turned the US into a net natural gas exporter by around 2017. By 2020, the US was effectively energy self-sufficient in petroleum for the first time in half a century.
US Petroleum Trade
Thousand barrels per day
Sources & methodology
The US was a major net petroleum importer for decades, but the shale revolution and increased domestic production have dramatically reduced net imports. Since roughly 2020 the US has been close to energy self-sufficiency in petroleum, with exports rising sharply even as imports have moderated.
Includes crude oil and finished petroleum products. Net imports = imports minus exports. A negative net imports value indicates the US is a net exporter. Data from EIA petroleum movement series.
US Natural Gas Trade
Million cubic feet
Sources & methodology
The US was a net natural gas importer for decades, relying on pipeline imports from Canada. The shale revolution unlocked vast domestic gas reserves, and the buildout of LNG export terminals transformed the US into a net gas exporter by around 2017 — a historic reversal.
Includes pipeline trade (primarily with Canada and Mexico) and LNG shipments. Net imports = imports minus exports. A negative net imports value indicates the US is a net exporter.