Data shows powerhouse regions are clear examples of American innovation and responsible energy production, evidenced by the significant drop in flaring volumes and intensities in last five years, amid record production.

Executive Summary

Over the past decade, the United States, powered by the success of the Permian Basin and Texas, transformed the global energy landscape, cementing itself as a global energy leader during a critical time for geopolitics, energy markets and energy security. Driven by investments in infrastructure and operational efficiencies, American energy producers are proving that abundant and responsible energy production go hand in hand by significantly expanding oil production while simultaneously reducing flaring intensity by as much as 50 percent over the last five years in key regions like Texas.

Since 2019, U.S. flaring intensity declined 45 percent falling from 3.86 m³/bbl to approximately 2.12 m³/bbl in 2024. Notably, these improvements occurred even as production grew 8 percent. Much of this progress was driven by Texas and the Permian Basin, two regions that saw record production growth while lowering flaring intensities that were 50 and 62 percent lower than 2019 intensities.

Production volumes in the Permian and Texas exceeded that of many major oil-producing nations in the Middle East and in the Americas. The Permian produced 6.3 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude, while Texas broke through a new billion barrel threshold for the first time, producing over 2 billion barrels of oil annually. Both regions saw larger production than China, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Brazil, parts of the world that have become synonymous with energy production. Early 2025 data indicates both regions will keep production high, and the Permian once again accounting for 48 percent of U.S. oil production.

This milestone wouldn’t be as notable were it not for the drastic flaring volume cuts both regions experienced on their way to energy dominance. Since 2019, flaring volumes have dropped 46 percent in the Permian and 44 percent in Texas, largely due to the efforts of responsible operators in the region who prioritize environmental stewardship and effective production.

Data coming from the Permian is most notable as it sustains half of U.S. oil production while cutting flaring intensity by more than half and flaring volumes by an impressive 46 percent. The Permian is a true example of American innovation and environmental responsibility. Further underscoring the benefit American oil and gas development and the need for continued production for decades to come.

Much of this reduction came thanks to the predictable regulatory and permitting environment in Texas. New pipeline projects and expansions broke ground, allowing for increased takeaway capacity to relieve bottlenecks at key market points like the Waha Hub. Producers’ ability to transport increased energy supplies in a quicker and more efficient manner, means less product is burned off through flaring practices. This underscores what industry leaders have been advocating for, permitting predictability is critical to not just meeting growing energy demands, but doing so in a responsible manner.

Methodology

The data used to analyze the findings in this report came from a range of resources. As in years prior, the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Data was used to calculate production, flaring volumes and flaring intensity for all countries mentioned in the report for 2024. Enverus provided Permian and Texas flaring volumes and production data for 2024. Production data for 2025 was provided by the Energy Information Administration, however final month by month data for the year is still to be published. Methane reporting was not included in this report due to data being unavailable.

Key Takeaways

• The United States, Permian Basin and Texas all hit record oil production years in 2024, showing the industry’s commitment to meeting rising energy demand and supplying key allies with energy security. All three regions also saw drops in flaring volumes and intensities compared to 2019.

 

• For a sixth straight year, the United States was the world’s top oil producer, breaking its own record from 2023 and producing over 12 million barrels of crude per day. In 2024, the U.S. produced 44 percent more oil than Russia and 42 percent more than Iran, while keeping flaring intensities significantly lower than both countries, 116 percent and 151 percent lower, respectively.

 

• Since 2019, the United States has nearly halved its flaring intensity from 3.86 m³/bbl in 2019 to 2.12 m³/bbl in 2024 while still increasing production by 8 percent. Flaring intensity between 2023 and 2024 rose slightly from 2.04 m³/bbl to 2.12 m³/bbl, likely due to a rapid increase in production that outpaced gas takeaway capacity in other producing regions in the country.

 

• In 2024, the Permian and Texas produced more oil than other top oil producing nations, including Canada, Iraq, China, Brazil and Qatar.

 

• The Permian Basin hit new oil production records in 2024, making up nearly 48 percent of total U.S. oil production, emphasizing the region’s importance nationally and internationally. Since 2019, the Permian has seen incredible growth, production has risen 45 percent, while flaring intensity dropped a remarkable 62 percent.

 

• Between 2023 and 2024, Permian Basin production grew by 6 percent, while flaring intensity dropped nearly 10 percent and volumes fell 4 percent. The drop in flaring intensity and volume is largely due to additional pipeline takeaway capacity coming online in the form of new and expansion projects like Matterhorn Express, Gulf Coast Express and Gray Oak.

 

• Texas surpassed 2 billion barrels of oil production for the first time in history in 2024. Early 2025 production data points to that number growing to 2.1 billion barrels. Between 2019 and 2024, oil production grew 12 percent, while flaring intensity declined by nearly 50 percent.

 

• Between 2023 and 2024, Texas produced 3 percent more oil, while flaring intensity remained steady at 1.29 m³/bbl. Flaring volumes rose slightly from 2.60 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 2.68.

 

• Infrastructure development has played a critical role in reducing flaring across the Permian Basin and Texas. Major pipeline projects like Gulf Coast Express, Permian Highway Pipeline and Matterhorn Express that move energy products from major production regions to markets like the Texas Gulf Coast have expanded natural gas takeaway capacity and reduced flaring during production. As global energy demand grows, and production grows to meet it, additional pipelines, processing facilities and export capacity will ensure that associated gas can be captured and utilized efficiently.

United States: Global Energy Leadership and Environmental Performance

The United States held the top spot for global oil production in 2024, its sixth consecutive year in the top spot. America’s reliable and abundant production came at a critical time for energy markets as conflicts in Eastern Europe and Middle East remained and inflation continued to rise. U.S. energy exports were especially critical for allies as the ongoing conflicts disrupted the status quo and global energy supply chains. America’s achievement in production volume and flaring reductions reflects not only the strength of American energy development, but the industry’s dedication to delivery energy security, responsibly.

Since 2019, U.S. oil production increased by nearly 8 percent while flaring intensity dropped 45 percent, declining from 3.86 m³/bbl in 2019 to 2.12 m³/bbl in 2024. The strong production volumes amid a reduction of nearly half of all flaring emphasizes what producers have been saying all along – strong energy production and responsible operations go hand in hand. Production and flaring data from 2024, supported by four years of similar results, busts myths that increased energy development leads to environmental destruction.

The vast reductions in flaring intensity since 2019 reflects the industry’s investments in expanding gas capture, improving operational efficiency and investing in infrastructure that allows associated gas to reach market instead of being flared in key producing regions like the Permian and the Texas Gulf Coast.

Internationally, the U.S. is a leader in responsible and abundant energy development, especially when compared to peer countries in production, like Iran and Russia. In 2024, the United States produced 44 percent more oil than Russia and 42 percent more than Iran, while keeping flaring intensities significantly lower than both countries, 116 percent and 151 percent lower, respectively.

Flaring intensity in the U.S. between 2023 and 2024 rose slightly from 2.04 m³/bbl to 2.12 m³/bbl, likely due to a rapid increase in production that outpaced gas takeaway capacity in other producing regions in the country. Considering the Permian Basin had a decrease in flaring intensity this year, this challenge was likely present in other top producing basins in the country.

2025 data is not complete as of this report’s drafting. However, early trends indicate production records were once again broken while flaring intensities remained low. 2025 was also the year the Trump Administration began taking action to remove redundant and inefficient barriers to production, delivering the regulatory environment the industry has long advocated for: industry-led approaches to produce responsibly.

Permian Basin Demonstrates Remarkable Production Growth While Simultaneously Cutting Flaring Emissions By Over 60 Percent

The Permian Basin led the charge in American energy dominance, producing more crude oil than any other region – 6.3 million barrels per day (b/d) - and accounting for 48 percent of total U.S. crude oil production. Early 2025 reporting indicates that number grew to an average of 6.6 million barrels per day (b/d), making up nearly half of the U.S. total average of 13.6 million barrels per day production (b/d). Early 2026 data indicates that the Permian’s share of U.S. production will be over 50 percent by years end. Since 2019 alone, oil production in the Permian has grown 45 percent, reflecting rapid advancements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies that have unlocked vast reserves of American energy.

The scale of production in the Permian highlights the region’s importance on a global energy scale. In 2024, the Permian produced more than twice the amount of oil that Kuwait did, and more than Canada, Iraq, China, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. In fact, in 2024, the Permian Basin produced 42 percent more oil than Iran while maintaining a flaring intensity that was 167 percent lower.

Like the United States that saw record production and a reduction in flaring, the Permian Basin made significant progress in reducing flaring volumes and intensity over the past several years. Between 2019 and 2024, flaring intensity declined by 62 percent, even as oil production in the region increased by 44 percent during the same period. This trend reflects a major operational shift across the basin as producers increasingly prioritize capturing associated gas and bringing it to market.

Infrastructure development on the Texas side of the Permian played a critical role in helping reduce flaring in the basin. Between 2023 and 2024, flaring volumes in the Permian fell 4 percent despite production increasing 6 percent. Matterhorn Express and Gulf Coast Express, two gas pipelines that moved gas from the Waha Hub in the Permian down to the Gulf Coast, came online and expanded, respectively, in 2024, aiding in the relief of bottlenecking and the need to flare gas. Gray Oak Pipeline, flowing the same way as the aforementioned pipelines, also completed an expansion in 2024. Infrastructure upgrades like these, which industry has consistently advocated for, are key to responsible production, allowing for the timely, efficient and safe transportation of energy supplies.

Continued infrastructure expansion will remain essential to sustaining these improvements. As production increases and global energy demand grows, additional pipelines, processing facilities and export capacity will ensure that associated gas can be captured and utilized efficiently. Analysts predict 18-22 bcf/d of new pipeline capacity entering service nationally in 2026, the highest annual total since 2008. Strategic infrastructure investment, a streamline permitting process and a predictable regulatory environment will remain critical for the industry to continue flaring reductions while maintaining reliable energy production.

Texas Hits Billion Barrel Production Record for First Time, Keeps Flaring Levels Steady

Texas continues to serve as the backbone of U.S. oil production thanks to its predictable regulatory environment, energy-friendly policies and dedication to environmental stewardship. For the first time, Texas hit a new billion barrel production threshold, producing 2.003 billion barrels of crude oil in 2024. Early 2025 data points to that growth continuing with a new record of 2.1 billion barrels, with statewide production consistently exceeding 100 million barrels monthly.  

The scale of production in Texas highlights its importance and impact on the global market. In 2024, Texas produced more oil than several major producing nations, including Qatar, Canada, China, Brazil, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Specifically, it produced 125 percent more than Qatar and 32 percent more than Iran while holding a flaring intensity rate that is 40 percent and 169 percent lower than Qatar and Iran, respectively. These records in production amid declines in flaring intensities and volumes underscores the commitment the industry has to making Texas, and the United States, an energy powerhouse and a leader in flaring reductions.

Between 2019 and 2024, oil production in Texas grew nearly 12 percent from 5.1 kbbl/d to 5.7 kbbl/d, while flaring volumes dropped 45 percent from 4.77 bcm to 2.68 bcm and intensity fell by nearly 50 percent from 2.5 m³/bbl to 1.3 m³/bbl.

The flaring reductions seen in Texas are largely the result of significant investments in gas gathering systems, processing facilities and pipeline infrastructure. Expanded takeaway capacity from new pipeline and expansion projects that came online between 2023 and 2024, like Matterhorn Express and Gulf Coast Express, allowed operators to move associated gas to markets more efficiently and safely, helping ensure that natural gas produced alongside oil is captured and utilized instead of flared. Expanded infrastructure was a key reason flaring intensity remained at similar levels between 2023 and 2024, despite production growing 3 percent.

Texas’ regulatory environment has made the upgrade, expansion and construction of pipeline projects possible and timely. However, a similar permitting environment is not found on the federal level, leaving the industry in a challenging position as it continues its efforts to support energy security at home and abroad.

Together, these improvements show that production growth and flaring reductions can advance simultaneously when regulatory environments, infrastructure investment and operational efficiencies are brought together. Thankfully, all three remain key priorities for the industry.

Infrastructure Development and Expansion Key to Reducing Flaring

Infrastructure development has played a critical role in reducing flaring across U.S. producing regions, particularly in the Permian Basin and Texas. Major pipeline projects like Gulf Coast Express, Permian Highway Pipeline and Matterhorn Express, that move energy products from major production regions to markets like the Texas Gulf Coast have expanded natural gas takeaway capacity, allowing producers to transport associated gas to market rather than flare it during production. These investments have helped drive significant reductions in flaring intensity even as production has grown rapidly.

Continued infrastructure expansion will remain essential to sustaining these improvements. As global energy demand grows, and production grows to meet it, additional pipelines, processing facilities and export capacity will ensure that associated gas can be captured and utilized efficiently. Strategic infrastructure investment will therefore remain a key component of further reducing flaring while maintaining reliable energy production.

Conclusion

The trends highlighted throughout this report point to a clear outcome: the United States continues to demonstrate that strong energy production and improved environmental performance can advance together to unleash American energy.

Record production output across the United States, Permian and Texas has been a stabilizing force for global energy markets. To achieve that feat while also reducing flaring by half or more and keeping it near the lowest levels on record is a true testament to the dedicated and innovative work of producers and operators in the Permian and Texas. It’s evident the industry’s commitment to the environment informs not only its operations, but its investments and workforce as well.

The progress seen in recent years highlights how innovation, responsible development and continued infrastructure investment can allow American producers to supply the energy the world needs while continuing to drive improvements in environmental performance.