14/07/2026 by Joel Thompson
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released data showing that crude oil production in the US rose to a new monthly high in April.
Amid the shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, US operators boosted production to an average of 13.93 million barrels per day (bpd). New record production figures for the US have become routine as the industry continues to innovate to achieve greater efficiency standards. Production levels are, however, approaching the 14 million bpd milestone that would mark a new standard for the industry.
Higher oil prices may have also motivated operators to pump more, with US crude futures trading at almost $120 per barrel during March. Prices have since declined to $70, but this may still be high enough to encourage continued production. Bigger players like ExxonMobil and Chevron, makers of the Mobil and Texaco lubricant and grease products, are especially well positioned.
In terms of regional production, the Permian Basin accounts for about half of all US production. The production in Texas hit its highest since last November at 5.83 million bpd. New Mexico, which is also home to part of the Permian, reached 2.37 million bpd as a rise of 216,000 bpd drove it to a record high.
As the third biggest oil-producing state, North Dakota saw its output also increase to the highest level since November at 1.13 million bpd. Natural gas production in the US did not follow the same trend, with production dropping slightly to 135.3 billion cubic feet per day.
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