US oil drilling platforms rise to 588, boosting crude output

The total number of active oil and natural‑gas drilling platforms in the United States increased this week to 588, up 44 from the same period a year ago, according to Baker Hughes data. Oil‑specific platforms grew by seven to 452, 30 more than last year, while natural‑gas platforms held steady at 126, nine higher YoY. Ten other platforms remained unchanged.

Weekly crude oil production rose to an average of 13.861 million barrels per day, a slight increase from the previous week and up 486,000 barrels per day from a year earlier. The Frac Spread Count fell to 200 crews, down five from the prior week. In the Permian basin, active wells rose to 259, still four below last year’s level, and Eagle Ford stayed at 47, six above the prior‑year figure. Brent crude traded at $87.65 a barrel (+4.06%) and WTI at $82.23 (+4.15%).