Crude oil is a smelly, yellow-to-black liquid and is usually found in underground areas called reservoirs. The world's top five crude oil-producing countries are:

1. Saudi Arabia
2. Russia
3. The United States
4. Iran
5. China and Mexico are tied for fifth.

Over one-fourth of the crude oil produced in the United States is produced offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. The top crude oil-producing states are:

1. Texas
2. Alaska
3. California
4. Louisiana
5. Oklahoma and New Mexico are tied for fifth.

The amount of crude oil produced in the United States has been getting smaller each year. However, the use of products made from crude oil has been growing, making it necessary to import more oil from other countries. About 56 percent of the crude oil and petroleum products used in the United States come from other countries.