Baker Hughes reports U.S. oil rigs fell from 412 to 409, indicating reduced drilling activity nationwide

    by VT Markets
    /
    Feb 14, 2026
    Baker Hughes said the US oil rig count fell to 409, down from 412. That is a drop of three rigs from the previous report.

    Us Oil Rig Count Slips

    The number of active oil rigs in the US has slipped to 409. It is a small move, but it matters. Fewer rigs can mean slower growth in US oil output. It also fits the “capital discipline” trend producers followed through most of 2025. This drop comes as new government data showed a bigger-than-expected fall in crude inventories. Stockpiles fell by almost 3 million barrels last week. The market is already tight. With fewer rigs running, less new supply is likely to arrive over the next three to six months. Together, these signals support oil prices. In 2025, producers often chose to return cash to investors instead of ramping up drilling, even when prices were strong. The latest rig count suggests that approach is continuing into 2026. With global demand forecasts still firm—especially in developing economies—slower US supply growth could have a real impact. For traders, this points to a bullish medium-term view. One way to position for higher prices is through call options or bull call spreads on WTI futures, especially for contracts that expire in late spring. These tools can capture upside while helping limit risk. Still, global events could change the picture fast. A surprise production increase from OPEC+ or clear signs of weaker global growth could pressure prices. Keep a close watch on news from Vienna and key economic data from China.

    Key Risks To Watch

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