U.S. Oil Production Update — Week of May 13, 2026

US crude oil production stands at 13.6 million barrels per day, keeping the country among the top producers in the world. Output remains elevated by historical standards, reflecting sustained activity across major shale basins including the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Bakken. Producers continue to operate at high utilization rates as strong prices support ongoing investment in drilling and completion activity.

Production declined by 13,000 barrels per day compared to the previous week, a modest dip that falls well within normal week-to-week variability. The change does not signal any major disruption to supply and is likely the result of routine maintenance, weather-related slowdowns, or minor operational adjustments at individual facilities. Analysts will be watching whether this slight pullback extends into next week or quickly reverses as field activity stabilizes.

West Texas Intermediate crude is trading at $109.76 per barrel, while Brent crude sits at $118.26 per barrel. The spread between the two benchmarks currently stands at roughly $8.50, which is wider than the historical average and reflects differences in global demand dynamics, transportation costs, and supply availability between domestic and international markets. Both benchmarks remain at elevated levels, continuing to put upward pressure on fuel costs for consumers and businesses alike.

Global crude oil production is running at approximately 65.0 million barrels per day, representing output from major producers across OPEC nations, the United States, Russia, and other contributing countries. Supply remains tight relative to demand in many markets, which helps explain the elevated price environment seen across both benchmarks. Next week, markets will be closely watching any updates from OPEC on production targets, new inventory data from the Energy Information Administration, and any geopolitical developments that could affect supply flows.