US tight oil production moves up a gear
The Permian is leading America's surging crude production, but there are warning signs in the data
The wave of new American tight oil supply hitting the market continues to gather pace. Shale producers are expected to add another 125,000 barrels a day of output in May, bringing the total to just shy of 7m b/d, according to the latest figures from the Energy Information Administration. This growth equals an addition of around 450,000 b/d in just the first five months of the year, so US shale producers are on track to crack 1m b/d of supply growth for the year. The Permian, where activity is hitting frenzied levels, is leading the charge. The West Texas play is adding about 75,000 b/d of production per month following a supportive run up in the rig count, and in price action. The rig count
Also in this section
18 February 2026
With Texas LNG approaching financial close, Alaska LNG advancing towards a phased buildout and Magnolia LNG positioned for future optionality, Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval says the coming year will demonstrate how the company’s more focused, owner-operator approach is reshaping LNG infrastructure development in the North America
18 February 2026
The global gas industry is no longer on the backfoot, hesitantly justifying the value of its product, but has greater confidence in gas remaining a core part of the global energy mix for decades
18 February 2026
With marketable supply unlikely to grow significantly and limited scope for pipeline imports, Brazil is expected to continue relying on LNG to cover supply shortfalls, Ieda Gomes, senior adviser of Brazilian thinktank FGV Energia,
tells Petroleum Economist
17 February 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 26–30 April 2026, will bring together leaders from the political, industrial, financial and technology sectors under the unifying theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”
