Russia pips Saudi Arabia as top oil producer

Russia was the biggest crude oil producer in the world in the first quarter of 2008, extracting 9.5 million barrels per day (mbpd), ahead of Saudi Arabia at 9.2mbpd, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday.

The IEA ranks the US as the third-biggest producer with 5.1mbpd, followed by Iran, pumping 4mbpd. China is in fifth place with output of 3.8mbpd.