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    Environment and Energy

    SMU Energy Analysis: Oil Prices Not High Enough Yet to Boost Rig Count

    Written by Peter Wright


    The price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil briefly exceeded $60 per barrel for one week in July, but the rig count continues to decline, according to Steel Market Update’s analysis of data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

    The spot price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) FOB Cushing, Okla., exceeded $60 per barrel for one day on July 10 before falling back to $59.30 on July 15. The total number of operating rigs exploring for oil has declined by 129 since the end of last year. The prices of oil and natural gas drive the consumption of energy-related steel products including oil country tubular goods, pipe fittings and well head equipment, among others. Welded tubular goods (not including OCTG) consumed about 5.5 million tons of hot rolled sheet in 2018.

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