Oil has long been the focus of the Middle East’s economy. The Middle East has some of the world’s biggest oil reserves. Oil was initially discovered in the Middle East in 1908 in Persia (now Iran) and again in the 1930s in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. In 2024, Middle East oil producers remained key players in world energy security, with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates the leading oil producing nations in the region.
Saudi Arabia is the biggest oil producer in Middle East by far, trailed by Iraq, Iran, and the UAE. Not only do these nations produce massive quantities of oil every day, but they also have an impact on world oil prices and global energy policy.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia produces well over 10 million barrels a day, the largest oil supplier in Middle East.
- Iraq and Iran together produce over 7 million barrels per day, even with political issues and sanctions.
- The United Arab Emirates not only boosted its oil production capabilities but also invested in renewable energy initiatives to diversify its economy.
Major Oil Producer Countries in the Middle East
The following table shows the major oil producer countries in the Middle East.
| Country | Oil Production (Million Tons, 2024) | Thousand Barrels per Day (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 510 | 10,856 |
| Iran | 234 | 5,062 |
| Iraq | 216 | 4,398 |
| United Arab Emirates | 180 | 4,006 |
| Kuwait | 131 | 2,719 |
| Qatar | 75 | 1,806 |
| Oman | 48 | 993 |
| Yemen | 2 | 47 |
| Syria | 2 | 35 |
| Other Middle East | 10 | 199 |
| Total Middle East | 1,407 | 30,119 |
Source: Statistical Review of World Energy 2025
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia isn’t only the largest oil producer in the Middle East—it’s one of the largest globally. In 2024, it produced more than 510 million tonnes oil, which accounts for over a third of the region’s total production.
The nation’s oil company, Saudi Aramco, is the world’s largest oil producer and one of the world’s most valuable companies. Saudi Arabia also plays a key role in OPEC+ by adjusting production levels to impact global oil prices.
Aside from oil, Saudi Arabia is attempting to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels in its Vision 2030 program, including major investments in renewable energy and technology. However, oil is still the mainstay of its economy.
Iraq
Iraq is the Middle East’s third-largest producer of oil, at approximately 216 million tonnes in 2024. Iraq possesses vast oil deposits in the south central Basra province, and has consistently upped its oil production over the past few years.
Iraq also has several challenges like political unrest, corruption, and aging facilities. These issues have regularly slowed down its oil production. Notwithstanding these problems, the international oil companies continue to operate in the country, which enables Iraq to have competitive oil production levels in the region.
Oil provides over 90% of Iraq’s government revenue and is the mainstay of the country’s economy. The country is sensitive to fluctuations in the global oil market due to its reliance on oil.
Iran
Iran has some of the world’s largest known oil reserves. In 2024, it produced around 234 million tonnes oil. Nevertheless, American and international sanctions have hindered the country’s ability to sell its oil freely on global markets.
Despite the sanctions, Iran still manages to find customers, especially in Asia, where nations such as China import large quantities of Iranian crude.
Oil is the backbone of Iran’s economy, although sanctions have made it necessary for the country to depend more on other sectors like petrochemicals. However, crude oil is still at the core of Iran’s government income.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE, especially the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has been one of the most reliable oil producers in the Middle East. In 2024, it produced approximately 180 million tonnes of oil.
The nation continues to spend lucratively in its oil sector and renewable energy in the Middle East. Initiatives like the Masdar City solar project and investments in hydrogen technology indicate the UAE’s strategy to get ready for an oil-free future. The UAE is also a major OPEC member and a valuable partner to international energy security.
Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman
Though smaller than Iran and Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman are major middle eastern oil producers.
Kuwait produced around 131 million tonnes of oil in 2024, the majority of which originate from a few giant fields. More than 50% of its GDP consists of oil revenues.
Qatar produced 75 million tonnes of oil and is more renowned for natural gas exports since it is the globe’s largest LNG exporter.
Conclusion
The Middle East is still the corner store of the world oil business. It produced more than 1,407 million tonnes of oil in 2024 and provides a vast portion of the world’s energy supply. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and the UAE lead in oil production, but Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman are also significant producers in the middle east oil market.
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