Key facts
- U.S. crude oil production hit a record 13.934 million barrels per day in April.
- This surpassed the previous record set in March.
- The Permian Basin, including New Mexico and Texas, was a key driver of the increased output.
- North Dakota also saw its strongest production since November.
- The EIA's monthly data confirmed earlier weekly estimates of near-record production.
- April's output exceeded the EIA's own 2026 production forecast.
U.S. crude oil production reached an all-time monthly record in April, hitting 13.934 million barrels per day, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This new high surpassed the previous record set in March by 216,000 barrels per day.
The surge in production was largely driven by producers responding to a spike in oil prices, which briefly neared $120 per barrel due to geopolitical tensions including the Iran-Israel conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Permian Basin was a significant contributor, with New Mexico setting a new state production record and Texas increasing output to its highest level since November.
North Dakota also experienced its strongest production month since November. The monthly figures confirm earlier weekly estimates that suggested U.S. production was already near record levels, indicating a genuine increase rather than statistical anomalies. The April output also exceeded the EIA's own June forecast for average U.S. crude production in 2026, highlighting the rapid supply response to higher prices.
While oil prices have since retreated as exports from the Persian Gulf gradually resume, questions remain about the speed at which normal supply can return, as much of the recent increase in exports consists of previously stranded barrels. Inbound tanker traffic remains below pre-war levels.