U.S. Oil Rig Count Rises as Oil Tops $100
Baker Hughes reported the U.S. active rig count rose to 591 this week, an increase of 52 rigs compared with the same period last year. Oil-focused rigs edged up to 450 while gas rigs rose to 132; meanwhile Brent crude was trading above $100 per barrel heading into the data release.
Why It Matters
Rising rig counts alongside elevated Brent prices and higher weekly crude output suggest sustained upstream activity and market support for continued U.S. production. Those dynamics affect operator planning, service demand and short-term supply expectations.
Key Facts
- date: September 11, 2026
- source: Baker Hughes data reported by Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com
- total-active-rigs: 591 (up 52 year-over-year)
- active-oil-rigs: 450 (up 1 week-over-week; up 34 year-over-year)
- active-gas-rigs: 132 (up 2 week-over-week; up 14 year-over-year)
Baker Hughes' weekly rig count showed an increase in U.S. drilling activity, with the total number of active oil and gas rigs climbing to 591. Oil rigs rose by one to 450 and gas rigs increased by two to 132, while miscellaneous rigs held steady at nine. Compared with this time last year, the overall rig count is higher by 52 rigs.
Government production data released for the week ending September 4 indicated U.S. crude output also ticked up. The EIA reported average crude production of 13.947 million barrels per day for the period, up from 13.862 million bpd the prior week and higher by 452,000 bpd versus a year earlier.
Activity measures showed mixed signals in completion crews: Primary Vision's Frac Spread Count fell for a fourth consecutive week to 178 crews, marking its lowest level since May. Regionally, the Permian Basin's rig count was unchanged at 268 — 14 rigs above year-ago levels — while the Eagle Ford added one rig to reach 51, nine more than a year earlier.
Market prices ahead of the rig data release reflected continued strength in international crude: Brent was trading at $105.07 per barrel (down 2.38% on the day but roughly $10 higher than a week earlier), while West Texas Intermediate was quoted at $99.60 (down 2.81%). The figures underline a backdrop of elevated prices even as some operational metrics, like frac spread counts, moderate. (Reporting based on Baker Hughes and EIA data as summarized by Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com.)
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Original source: OilPrice.com