Russia became the world's leading oil and natural gas exporter last year, according to BP's annual statistical review of world energy. The country has overtaken Saudi Arabia in crude exports, and retained the top spot in exports of natural gas.

Three-quarters of Russia's oil production went for export in 2015. Exports of Russian gas reached 33.7 percent of overall production. The country also exported 41.8 percent of its coal.

According to the report, crude exports from the Middle East rose by 670,000 barrels per day last year as Iraqi and Saudi production hit record levels. Over 75 percent of Middle Eastern oil exports went to the Asia Pacific region, although Europe increased its oil imports from the region by 590,000 barrels per day.

"Russia is the leading oil and gas supplier to Europe, accounting for 37 percent and 35 percent of European respective consumption,” said the report.

Russia’s oil production increased for the seventh consecutive year growing 1.2 percent in 2015 and reaching a new post-Soviet high of 11 million barrels per day.

Read more on: Russia Today.