US ‘Likely’ Has Taken Over as the World’s Top Oil Producer

pumpjacks work in a field near Lovington, N.M In this April 24, 2015. The United States may have reclaimed the title of the world's biggest oil producer sooner than expected. Charlie Riedel/AP

The United States may have reclaimed the title of the world’s biggest oil producer sooner than expected.The U.S. Energy Information Administration said Sept. 12 that America “likely surpassed” Russia in June and August after jumping over Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

The agency says that conclusion is based on preliminary estimates.