U.S. to be world's largest oil producer by 2020

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - For decades, Americans have been talking about our reliance on foreign oil, but in less than a decade, the U.S. is expected to be the world’s largest oil producer.

A new report by the International Energy Agency predicts that the U.S. will overtake Saudi Arabia as the largest petroleum producer in the world by 2020.

The report also shows that the U.S. would become energy independent by the year 2035.

As of now, the U.S imports roughly 20% of its energy needs today, and some consumers say that they would like to see that number go down.

"I definitely feel that we should be producing more oil throughout the United States, because by us shipping it from overseas, we end up paying more money than we would in the long run if we have the resources here,” Christopher Bryden of Chicopee said.

America's rise to the top is credited to a recent resurgence in oil and gas production, and more fuel-efficient vehicles.