United States Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count

Latest figures

The latest release for OCT/30, published on 30 October 2026, came in at 462, up from 460 the time before.

Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 447 to 462, averaging 455; it has been rising for three releases in a row.

See it in the economic calendar →

Why it matters

These weekly figures (from the Energy Information Administration, the American Petroleum Institute and rig counts) are the most timely measure of supply and demand in the world's largest oil market, and they move oil and gas prices on release. A larger build in stocks than expected usually pushes prices down.

How it is calculated

Refiners, storage terminals and pipelines report their holdings; the release shows the change from the previous week in barrels (or cubic feet for gas). Rig counts tally drilling rigs in operation.

What changes mean

• A draw (fall) in crude stocks when a build was expected is bullish for oil.
• Gasoline and distillate stocks show demand from drivers and industry.
• Cushing, Oklahoma is the delivery point of WTI futures; low stocks there tighten the market.

A short history

The US government began collecting weekly petroleum data after the oil crises of the 1970s; Baker Hughes has published its rig count since 1944.

Questions