Despite declining rig counts across the country, oil production remains at record levels and is currently exceeding demand.
Related: Bakken-Three Forks rig count
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), US oil production hit a record 9,226,000 barrels per day last week, with production from the Bakken formation up to an average of 1.2 million barrels a day, a 28% year-over-year increase.
This record production is contributing to an international surplus and keeping crude prices low. It is estimated that oil supply is exceeding demand by over one million bbl/d in the global market.Inventories for U.S. commercial crude oil increased by 4.9 million barrels this week. At 417.9 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are at the highest level for this time of year in at least the last 80 years. Consumption grew by 0.9 million bbl/d in 2014, averaging 92.1 million bbl/d for the year. EIA predicts global consumption to grow by 1.0 million bbl/d in both 2015 and 2016 and global oil inventories to continue to build in 2015.
“CNBC recently reported that, “The decline in the US rig count likely remains well short of the level required to slow US shale oil production to levels consistent with a balanced global market. Lower oil price will be required over the coming quarters to see the US production growth slowdown materializes.”