An October 4 analysis by the Energy Information Administration projected that the United States would be the world leader in combined crude oil and natural gas production this year. The rate is expected to reach 24.4 million barrels per day of oil equivalent, surpassing the 21.3 million in Russia and the 12.8 million in Saudi Arabia. In 2008, the U.S. produced 18.8 million barrels per day. The agency said the 30 percent boost in domestic energy production could be linked to oil production in the Bakken oil fields and natural gas production in the Marcellus shale.