SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Crude oil output in the United States is on the rise again with more rigs drilling and improved efficienciesfrom those rigs.
The Energy Information Administration estimates that domestic oil production began increasing during the last three months of 2016.
Most of the growth in oil output came from drilling in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The EIA says higher average oil prices this year are expected to support more production
U.S. oil production is expected to average 9 million barrels per day in 2017 and then rise to 9.3 million barrels per day in 2018.
Meanwhile...The EIA says higher natural gas prices are contributing to rising coal-fired, electricity generation.
The Administration expects coal will account for about one-third of electricity generation this year but,natural gas is expected to take the lead again in electricity generation in 2018.
Hydropower, solar, wind and other renewables are forecast to increase to about 16% of U.S. electricity generation in 2018.
The share of generation from nuclear energy is expected to decline to around 19% in 2018 afterseveral nuclear reactors are retired.