US oil output set for first annual drop since pandemic

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According to a recent government forecast, US oil production is set to decline next year for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Energy Information Administration predicts that production will drop from a record high of 13.5 million barrels a day to around 13.3 million barrels by the end of next year. This news is likely to raise doubts about Donald Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda, which aimed to increase American drilling and drive down energy prices.

The decrease in oil production is attributed to slumping oil prices, which have led to fewer active drilling rigs in the US. The EIA’s monthly report highlighted that operators are expected to drill and complete fewer wells through 2026, as active rigs have decreased more than anticipated. This comes as a stark contrast to Trump’s promises of unleashing American drilling and boosting oil production.

The US has become the world’s largest oil and gas producer in recent years, thanks to the boom in shale production. However, with oil prices on the decline and global market dynamics shifting, the future of the US energy industry is uncertain. Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports have also added to the challenges faced by the sector, raising costs for essential inputs and squeezing drillers’ margins.

Industry experts and executives are expressing concerns about the lack of a clear plan from the current administration to address these challenges. With international oil prices expected to fall further in the coming years, the outlook for the US oil industry remains uncertain. Some analysts predict a significant drop in US oil output in the coming months, which could have far-reaching implications for the global energy market.

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