By JBizNews Desk

June 2, 2026

America is producing more oil than any nation in history, and that record output is helping shield drivers and businesses from what could have been a far more painful energy shock.

According to the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook, the United States remains the world’s largest oil producer, pumping crude at levels never before seen. At a time when conflict in the Middle East continues to threaten global supply chains and energy markets, domestic production has become one of the most important forces keeping fuel prices from climbing even higher.

The numbers are staggering. U.S. crude oil production reached a record 13.6 million barrels per day in 2025 and is expected to remain near 13.5 million barrels per day throughout 2026. The bulk of that output continues to come from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico, supported by production from offshore fields in the Gulf and growing activity in Alaska.

That production has been tested repeatedly this year.

The conflict in the Middle East and ongoing threats involving the Strait of Hormuz have rattled global energy markets. The narrow waterway serves as one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, handling roughly one-fifth of global petroleum trade. Any threat to traffic through Hormuz immediately raises concerns about supply shortages and higher prices.

Those concerns quickly reached energy markets.

Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, surged from roughly $61 per barrel at the start of the year to as high as $138 per barrel during periods of heightened tension. The impact was felt across the economy. The national average gasoline price approached $4 per gallon, while diesel prices climbed above $5 per gallon in many regions, increasing transportation and shipping costs throughout the supply chain.

Consumers noticed.

Businesses noticed.

And inflation pressures intensified.

Yet the story is not how much prices rose. The bigger story is how much higher they might have gone without record American production.

Every additional barrel produced domestically reduces the need for imported supply and helps offset disruptions elsewhere. As tensions squeezed global markets, U.S. shale producers effectively filled part of the gap, helping prevent a far larger spike in prices.

Think of it as a shock absorber.

The road may still be rough, but the impact is less severe because there is a cushion underneath.

Without America’s current production levels, fuel prices could have climbed substantially higher, placing additional strain on household budgets already coping with elevated housing, food, and borrowing costs.

The benefits extend well beyond drivers.

Fuel costs affect nearly every sector of the economy. Airlines, trucking companies, manufacturers, retailers, farmers, and delivery services all depend on affordable energy. When fuel prices rise, those costs eventually flow through to consumers in the form of higher prices on goods and services.

Record U.S. production has helped limit that ripple effect.

There are also signs of relief ahead.

The EIA expects global oil inventories to gradually rebuild as additional production comes online and some geopolitical pressures ease. The agency forecasts Brent crude will average approximately $89 per barrel by late 2026 and move closer to $79 per barrel during 2027.

If those projections hold, gasoline prices should gradually decline, providing welcome relief for households and businesses alike.

The story is similar in natural gas.

The United States continues to produce record volumes of natural gas, averaging more than 120 billion cubic feet per day during the first quarter of 2026. While global disruptions have pushed international gas prices higher, abundant domestic production has helped keep American energy costs lower than many other developed economies.

That advantage has strengthened America’s position as a leading exporter of liquefied natural gas while providing an additional layer of energy security.

None of this means the United States is immune from global events.

Oil remains a global commodity. A major escalation in the Middle East, prolonged disruptions in shipping routes, or unexpected supply outages could still push prices sharply higher regardless of domestic production levels.

But the reality today is very different from previous decades.

For much of modern history, America was heavily dependent on foreign oil and largely at the mercy of overseas producers. Today, record domestic production provides a significant buffer against global shocks.

For drivers filling up their tanks this summer, that may be the most important takeaway.

America’s oil boom has not eliminated higher fuel prices. It has not insulated consumers from every global disruption. What it has done is prevent an already difficult energy environment from becoming substantially worse.

As long as U.S. production remains near record highs, that cushion will continue helping protect American consumers from the full force of global energy turmoil.

Energy & Commodities — JBizNews Desk

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