U.S. Oil Rig Count Rises by 2 to 452 -- Market Talk

1344 ET - The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. rose by two this week to 452, or 34 more than a year ago, Baker Hughes reports. Natural gas rigs also rose by 2 to 134, up 16 from a year ago. U.S. producers have increased oil drilling and production since the Middle East conflict pushed prices up. It's coming into to the time when producers set their budgets for next year, although consolidation in U.S. shale has left companies more measured in the way they make decisions, says Andrejka Bernatova, CEO of energy-focused SPAC Dynamix Corporation III. "$100 oil would allow you to drill Tier 2 and Tier 3 acreage now, but I think it's going to take time for boards to be the ones to take the first step, and be willing to increase production on a substantial basis." (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 18, 2026 13:44 ET (17:44 GMT)