U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the first time in four weeks even as a rebound in crude prices from coronavirus lows over the past few months prompted some producers to return to the well pad.
The U.S. oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by two to 254 in the week to Sep. 11, according to data from energy services firm Baker Hughes Co.
That total rig count fell to a record low of 244 rigs during the week ended Aug. 14.
That was 632 rigs, or 71%, below this time last year.
U.S. oil rigs fell one to 180 this week, while gas rigs also declined by one to 71, according to Baker Hughes data.
U.S. crude oil production is expected to fall 870,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) to 11.38 million bbl/d this year, a less steep decline than the 990,000 bbl/d forecast last month, the U.S. government said Sept. 9.
Even though U.S. oil prices are still down about 38% since the start of the year due to coronavirus demand destruction, U.S. crude futures have gained 100% over the past five months to around $37 per barrel Sept. 11, mostly on hopes global economies and energy demand will snap back as governments lift lockdowns.
Analysts said those higher oil prices have encouraged some energy firms to start adding units in recent weeks.
Most firms, however, still plan to keep cutting costs.
U.S. financial services firm Cowen & Co. said the independent E&P companies it tracks plan to slash spending by about 47% in 2020 versus 2019. That follows a capex reduction of roughly 9% in 2019 and an increase of around 23% in 2018.
Cowen also said that some E&Ps issued early estimates for 2021 that so far point to an 8% drop in spending next year versus 2020.
Recommended Reading
‘Misguided’ Approach to Energy Transition Threatens Energy Security
2024-09-18 - International Energy Forum Secretary General Joseph McMonigle says a single, linear pathway to the energy transition is “misguided and an outdated approach.”
Vitol CEO: US Shale Gas Growing Source of Shipping, Trucking Fuel
2024-09-18 - International commodities trading house Vitol sees growing demand for U.S. shale gas to spur LNG exports to China, India and emerging economies in Asia.
August Well Permits Rebound in August, led by the Permian Basin
2024-09-18 - Analysis by Evercore ISI shows approved well permits in the Permian Basin, Marcellus and Eagle Ford shales and the Bakken were up month-over-month and compared to 2023.
Kolibri Global Drills First Three SCOOP Wells in Tishomingo Field
2024-09-18 - Kolibri Global Energy reported drilling the three wells in an average 14 days, beating its estimated 20-day drilling schedule.
Golar LNG Enters $1.6B EPC Agreement for FLNG Project
2024-09-18 - Golar said the floating LNG vessel has a liquefaction capacity of 3.5 million tons of LNG per annum and is expected to be delivered in fourth-quarter 2027.