American energy companies this week reduced the number of oil and natural gas platforms in operation for the first time in three weeks, according to the energy services company Baker Hughes 
BKR In his Friday report, which was followed very closely.
The oil and gas platform count, an early indicator of future production, fell into three to 584 in the week that ended on May 2. In
Baker Hughes said that this week’s decrease places the total platform count in 21, or 3% below this last year.
Baker Hughes said that oil platforms fell four to 479 this week, while gas platforms increased by two to 101.
The oil and gas platform count was reduced by around 5% in 2024 and 20% in 2023, since low oil and gas prices in the US during the last two years led energy companies to focus more on increasing the profitability of shareholders and paying debt instead of increasing production.
Crude oil prices have collapsed 20% to minimal COVID-19 pandemics in the first 100 days of the second mandate of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, amid the tariff agitation (link), What raises doubts about whether the producers will fulfill their dividends payment objectives and repurchase of shares – angular piedra of the strategy of large oil companies to court investors – or cut the capital expenses budgets.
Exxon Mobil XOM On Friday he reiterated his previous orientation to spend between 27,000 and 29,000 million dollars in 2025. The CEO, Darren Woods, said that despite the pressure of short -term investors to cut expenses and return more money to shareholders, the main oil producer in the United States will continue to invest to maintain its position.
Chevron CVX He also stated that he maintains his dividend strategy and repurchase of shares. The second US oil producer increased production in the first quarter of the Permian basin, the main US oil deposit, by 12% year -on -year.
