HOUSTON, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The number of active drilling rigs in the United States increased by 13 this week to 1,059, or up 151 from this time last year, according to weekly data collected by Baker Hughes released Friday.
The Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported that the West Texas Permian Basin added 11 rigs.
Oil prices decreased on Friday as major crude producers were reportedly considering easing the production limits they put in place last year.
The July delivery of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), also known as Texas light sweet, decreased 2.83 U.S. dollars to settle at 67.88 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for July delivery was down 2.35 dollars to close at 76.44 dollars a barrel in London.
Oil prices reached multi-year highs earlier this month after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and restore sanctions on Tehran.
