US crude oil production is expected to hit a record 13.8 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2026, surpassing the previous high of 13.7 million b/d set in 2025, according to the US Energy Information Administration’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook.

Production averaged 13.7 million b/d in the first half of 2026, up 2 per cent, or 0.3 million b/d, from the same period last year.

Growth is concentrated mainly in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico and the Federal Gulf of America.

Permian output is forecast to average 6.8 million b/d this year, a 3 per cent increase from 2025, supported by higher crude oil prices.

Production in the Federal Gulf rose 10 per cent year-on-year in the first half, adding 0.2 million b/d.

The EIA expects Gulf output to rise another 3 per cent, or 0.1 million b/d, for the full year.

Four major projects that came online over the past year have driven much of the Gulf’s production increase. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service