Which are the 12 Largest Oil Fields in the World?
A staggering 65,000 oil fields lie beneath the Earth’s surface, holding vast reservoirs of crude oil. With many in the Middle East, it’s a hotbed for oil projects – offshore and onshore. Their size and scale vary, but which are the world’s largest oil fields?
1. Ghawar Field
Location: Saudi Arabia
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 88–104 billion barrels
Production: 3.8 million barrels per day
Taking the crown is Saudi Arabia’s Ghawar Field the planet’s largest oil field by both daily production and total reserves. Yielding nearly four million barrels per day, it is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s standing as the world’s leading oil exporter, a position maintained by Saudi Aramco, which owns and operates the field.
2. Burgan Oil Field
Location: Kuwait
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 66–72 billion barrels
Production: 1.7 million barrels per day
Burgan Field is the world’s second-largest oil field and one of the world’s oldest – discovered in 1937 and started production in 1948. It is the largest sandstone oil field on the planet. Situated in the desert of southeastern Kuwait, it’s 500km from Ghawar Field in Saudi Arabia.
3. Gachsaran Field
Location: Iran
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 66 billion barrels
Production: 480,000 barrels per day
Iran’s second-largest oil field, Gachsaran has been operating since 1930 and is managed by the National Iranian Oil Company. With 66 billion barrels of recoverable oil and a daily output of 480,000 barrels, it remains a vital part of Iran’s energy infrastructure.
4. Bolivar Coastal Field
Location: Venezuela
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 30–32 billion barrels
Production: 2.6–3 million barrels per day
The largest oil field in Venezuela (and second largest in the world by current daily output), Bolivar Coastal Field is located off the coast of Texas. The field has been a pivotal contributor to domestic oil production thanks to its offshore location.
5. Safaniya Oil Field
Location: Saudi Arabia
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 30 billion barrels
Production: 1.2 million barrels per day
A major off-shore oil field, Safaniya Oil Field in the Persian Gulf spans approximately 65 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide, with an anticline structure. Characterised by a series of NW-SE trending structures, it arises from uplifting activity prompted by the Zagros reverse fault.
6. Kashagan Field
Location: Kazakhstan
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 30 billion barrels
Production: 400,000 barrels per day
One of Kazakhstan’s largest oil fields, Kashagan sits just off the Caspian Sea and began production in 2016. Development has been challenging due to its harsh environment and complex geology, but the field has already made a substantial contribution to the country’s oil output.
7. Aghajari Field
Location: Iran
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 28 billion barrels
Production: 440,000 barrels per day
Another major oil field in Iran, Aghajari Field, possesses a complex geological structure. Despite this, it has played a significant role in Iran’s global position as a top oil-producing nation.
8. Tengiz Field
Location: Kazakhstan
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 26–40 billion barrels
Production: 650,000 barrels per day
Tengiz Field, operated by Chevron, contains vast oil reserves and uses advanced extraction methods such as sour gas recovery. It has undergone extensive development over the years to reach its current level of enhanced production.
9. Ahvaz Field
Location: Iran
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 25 billion barrels
Production: 750,000 barrels per day
Discovered in 1958, this Iranian super-giant oil field holds 25 billion barrels of recoverable oil across three main subsurface structures: the Asmari, Bangestan, and Khami formations. It is operated by the National Iranian South Oil Company.
10. Upper Zakum Oil Field
Location: UAE
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 21 billion barrels
Production: 750,000 barrels per day
Upper Zakum Oil Field is one of the largest offshore oil fields. Its significant reserves and advanced extraction technologies contribute to its impressive daily output, making it a cornerstone of the United Arab Emirates oil industry. At the current development rates, Upper Zakum Oil Field could increase production to 1 million barrels daily by 2024.
11. Cantarell Field
Location: Mexico
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 18–35 billion barrels
Production: 160,000 barrels per day
Comprising four individual fields, Cantarell is an offshore development known for its high-volume reserves and challenging reservoir conditions, including high pressure and complex geology. Despite these difficulties, it has long been a significant contributor to Mexico’s oil production.
12. Daqing Field
Location: China
Estimated recoverable oil (past and future): 16 billion barrels
Production: 600,000 barrels per day
China’s largest oil field, Daqing entered full-scale production in 1963 and has historically been a driving force behind the country’s economic growth. Its 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil continue to underpin China’s domestic energy output.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about the 12 biggest oil fields in the world. The Middle East dominates the list, but significant oil fields are found across South America, Kazakhstan, China, and Mexico. If you are looking to get into the oil and gas industry or further your career, our blog about oil and gas jargon will help you understand more about the terms used in the industry. You may also be interested in further reading about the highest paying jobs in oil and gas. For a broader overview of the sector, explore our guide to working in oil and gas.
Why Are Large Oil Fields Important?
Large oil fields support global energy demand by supplying the crude oil that powers transportation, manufacturing, power generation, and industrial operations worldwide.
These projects also generate significant demand for skilled professionals across a range of disciplines, including:
- Oil and gas engineering
- Offshore operations
- Drilling and exploration
- Construction and EPC services
- Subsea and marine operations
- Project management
- HSE and technical specialists
As oil projects continue to expand in scale and complexity, energy companies need experienced professionals who can support safe and efficient operations across challenging environments.
Conclusion
The world’s largest oil fields remain vital to global energy production and economic development. From the massive reserves of Saudi Arabia’s Ghawar Field to offshore developments in the UAE, Mexico, and Kazakhstan, these projects collectively account for millions of barrels of daily output and power industries worldwide.
As energy projects grow increasingly complex, companies require skilled talent across exploration, engineering, offshore operations, construction, and long-term production activities.
Key Takeaways
- The world’s largest oil fields are concentrated primarily in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, and the UAE.
- The Ghawar Field in Saudi Arabia is the largest oil field globally, with up to 104 billion barrels of recoverable oil.
- Offshore oil fields such as Safaniya, Upper Zakum, and Cantarell remain critical to global energy production.
- Countries including Kazakhstan, Venezuela, China, and Mexico also operate some of the world’s most significant oil reserves.
- Large oil fields require highly skilled professionals across engineering, offshore operations, drilling, construction, HSE, and project management.
- Continued investment in oil and gas infrastructure is driving demand for experienced talent across global energy markets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the biggest oil fields in the world?
Saudi Arabia has the largest oil fields in the world, including the Ghawar Field, the largest globally. The country holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves and remains a leading producer and exporter of crude oil.
Who were the Seven Sisters?
The Seven Sisters were seven major oil companies that dominated the global industry in the mid-20th century: BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Gulf Oil, and Texaco.
What is the second-largest oil field in the world?
The Burgan Oil Field in Kuwait is the second-largest oil field in the world, with an estimated 66 to 72 billion barrels of recoverable oil. It is also the world’s largest sandstone oil field.
Who owns the largest oil field in the world?
The Ghawar Field in Saudi Arabia is owned and operated by Saudi Aramco.
What is OPEC and how does it relate to these oil fields?
Many of the countries on this list Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, the UAE, and Venezuela are members of OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), which collectively coordinates oil production levels to help stabilise global energy markets.
About the Author
Apurva Agrawal is an SEO Specialist at Worldwide Recruitment Solutions (WRS), with three years of experience driving digital growth and visibility within the global recruitment sector.
This guide was developed in collaboration with and verified by Melissa Walsh, Marketing and Brand Manager at WRS, ensuring that all workforce data and service methodologies reflect WRS’s global standards and positioning.
