American oil and gas workers have pushed US energy production to a new record, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright. He said the United States is now the world’s top producer of both oil and natural gas.
Wright shared the claim on Saturday as energy markets faced fresh pressure from the conflict involving Iran. He said strong US output is helping the country meet energy needs at a time when global oil flows face risk.
“American oil and gas workers have driven production to an all-time high,” Wright said in a post on X. He also credited President Donald Trump’s energy policy for the rise in output.
The statement puts US energy production at the center of the administration’s economic plans. The Trump administration has called for more domestic oil and gas output. It says higher production can help improve energy security and lower costs for American consumers.
The latest claim comes as the global oil market remains under strain. Tensions around Iran have affected oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is one of the world’s key routes for oil and fuel.
Wright said more than 15 million barrels of oil and petroleum products moved through the Strait with help from the US military on Tuesday. He also said total shipments leaving the region were close to 20 million barrels when pipeline flows were included.
He added that the seven day average of oil leaving the Strait had risen above 8 million barrels a day. Wright credited the US Navy with helping keep energy supplies moving through the area.
The situation has raised concern in energy markets. Any major break in oil flows through the Strait could reduce global supply and push prices higher. The risk is important because many countries depend on the route for oil and fuel.
US production is therefore gaining more attention. Higher domestic output can give the United States more room to deal with changes in global supply. It can also reduce some pressure from overseas markets.
Still, record production does not mean fuel prices will fall at once. Oil prices are shaped by many factors. These include global demand, supply risks, refinery output and political events.
Gas prices in the United States have remained above levels seen before the conflict with Iran. Energy officials have also been looking for ways to increase refinery output. Wright said earlier this month that US refineries were already running at record levels, but more steps could help increase fuel production.
The issue is also important for the US economy. Oil and gas support a large network of workers and businesses. The sector also provides fuel for transport and raw materials for many industries.
Wright has made higher energy output a key part of his role as energy secretary. During a recent visit to Texas, he said US oil production was at a record level and argued that the country was in a strong position despite the pressure on global energy markets.
The administration is also seeking more energy output from other sources. Wright has spoken in favor of natural gas, nuclear power and coal. He has said stronger energy supply could help lower power costs and support job growth.
For now, the new production claim comes at a key time for the United States. Global oil markets remain sensitive to events in the Middle East. Any change in the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz could quickly affect prices around the world.
The record US output gives Washington a stronger domestic supply base. But officials still face the challenge of keeping fuel affordable while global risks remain high. The next steps in US energy policy may show how far the administration can turn record production into lower costs for households and businesses.
