The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose three to 622 in the week to Oct. 13.
Drillers have cut active rigs for three quarters in a row in a delayed response to the sharp drop in prices since the middle of 2022.
The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by seven to 623 in the week to Sept. 29.
As public E&Ps hold fast with capital discipline, even exuberant prices might not be enough to substantially bump up production, although private operators remain a wild card, analysts said.
U.S. oil rigs fell by eight to 507 this week, their lowest since February 2022, while gas rigs dropped by three to 118.
Rig counts are falling—a reflection of higher interest rates and labor costs that now affect drilling costs, moving break-even prices even higher out in the price curve.
Despite this week's rig increase, Baker Hughes said the total count was still down 122, or 16%, below this time last year.
The extension of the supply cuts from OPEC+ have overcome concerns about global oil demand and to push price of Brent crude above $90 for the first time since November 2022.
U.S. energy firms this week increased the number of oil rigs operating for the first time since June.
U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of active oil and natural gas rigs for an eighth week in a row, says Baker Hughes.