The oil rig count in US has declined for ninth consecutive week, according to the latest data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes on Friday.
The number of oil rigs, an indicator of short-term production in the country, fell by 34 to reach 258 for the week ending May 15, from 292 the previous week.
While the number of 258 oil rigs in US is the lowest level since July 2009, the oil rig count is also down by 544, or 67.8%, from 802 compared to the same period a year ago.
In the past nine weeks, the decline in US oil rig count totaled 425, according to the data.
At Friday's close, price of international benchmark Brent crude stood at $32.50 per barrel with a 4.4% gain, while American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $29.43 a barrel with a 6.8% increase.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.t