The oil rig count in the U.S. showed an increase this week, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes on Friday.
The number of oil rigs in the country rose by two for the week ending Dec. 28, bringing the total count to 885 from 883 the week before, the data revealed.
Following the increase in the oil rig count, crude oil prices showed little change in the global market on Friday, with international benchmark Brent crude closing at $52.20 per barrel while American benchmark West Texas Intermediate finished the day at $45.33 a barrel.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed Friday that crude oil production in the country rose by 99,000 barrels per day (bpd) last week to reach around 11.7 million bpd for the week ending Dec. 21. Crude oil production in the country has seen record high levels reaching 11.7 million bpd since the week ending Nov. 9.
This marked the 40th time that crude oil production increased in the country during the last 50 weeks.
The U.S.' crude oil production is expected to average 12.1 million bpd in 2019, according to the EIA's Short-Term Outlook report for December.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr