U.S. Rig Count Rises to 591 as Oil and Gas Drilling Both Increase

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U.S. drilling activity moved higher this week, with gains in both oil and natural gas rigs pushing the national count to its highest level in the latest run of Baker Hughes data.

The U.S. rig count increased by three to 591 for the week ended September 11, according to the latest Baker Hughes North America Rig Count Report. That is 52 rigs above the 539 operating during the comparable week last year, an increase of nearly 10%.

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Oil rigs increased by one to 450, while natural gas rigs rose by two to 132. Miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at nine.

Compared with a year ago, the U.S. now has 34 more oil rigs and 14 more gas rigs operating, showing that the year-over-year expansion is not confined to one side of the industry.

The increase comes during an extraordinary period for crude markets. WTI settled Friday at approximately US$100.05 per barrel, while Brent closed at US$104.61, according to Reuters. Despite pulling back Friday, both benchmarks posted gains of more than 8% for the week as Middle East supply disruptions continued to dominate trading.

U.S. natural gas presented a very different picture. Henry Hub futures finished around US$2.83 per MMBtu, with prices pressured by strong production and easing seasonal demand.

Baker Hughes’ regional data showed some notable movement beneath the national increase.

North Dakota added four rigs to reach 28, while Texas gained one to 284. New Mexico moved in the opposite direction, losing three rigs to 92.

The basin numbers were even more pronounced. The Williston Basin added five rigs to reach 32, while the Eagle Ford and Haynesville each gained one. The Permian was unchanged at 268 rigs, although that remains 14 above the 254 operating there a year ago.

The latest count reinforces the broader trend that has developed through 2026: U.S. drilling is expanding, but producers are still showing considerably more restraint than in previous high-price cycles.

That restraint is particularly noteworthy with WTI now around US$100 per barrel.

Historically, a sustained move to triple-digit oil prices would have created strong pressure to accelerate drilling. Today’s producers, however, are balancing higher commodity prices against capital discipline, shareholder returns, service costs and major improvements in drilling productivity.

The result is a measured expansion rather than a rush for rigs.

The U.S. fleet has grown by 52 rigs over the past year, oil and gas drilling are both higher, and activity increased again this week. But with the Permian unchanged and much of this week’s growth concentrated in the Williston Basin, the industry is still being selective about where additional drilling capital goes.

Source: Baker Hughes North America Rig Count Report, September 11, 2026. Commodity prices are September 11 market prices; Bloomberg Energy could not be directly verified, so contemporaneous Reuters and market data were used.