The total count of operating drilling rigs across the United States rose during the latest reporting period, reaching 599 units, representing a significant increase compared to the prior-year level. Baker Hughes, which tracks rig activity, reported the uptick on Friday, with the year-over-year gain totaling 50 rigs.
Breakdown by resource type showed gains across oil and gas operations. The number of active oil rigs increased by 3 during the week to reach 455, representing a 31-rig increase from the corresponding period last year. Gas rigs rose by 1 to total 135, up 18 rigs from a year earlier. Miscellaneous rigs remained unchanged at 9.
Crude production figures from the Energy Information Administration presented a more mixed picture. U.S. crude oil output declined for a second consecutive week during the period ending September 18, averaging 13.939 million barrels per day, down marginally from 13.944 million bpd the previous week. However, this represented an increase of 438,000 bpd compared to one year prior. Primary Vision’s Frac Spread Count, which measures the number of well-completion crews actively operating, increased by 3 crews to reach 187 during the same reporting period.
Regional activity showed varied trends. The Permian Basin saw its rig count rise by 1 to 270, placing it 17 rigs ahead of year-ago levels. The Eagle Ford region experienced a decline of 1 rig to 50 total, though the count remained 5 rigs higher than one year earlier.
Market conditions reflected softer pricing momentum on the day of the report. Brent crude traded at $103.83 per barrel, down 2.60 percent, holding roughly steady with prices from the same period the prior week. West Texas Intermediate crude declined 2.63 percent to $92.12 per barrel.
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