US to boost oil output soon, Hassett says — measures under review

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters on April 30, 2026 that the administration is speaking with oil companies and considering measures to increase U.S. oil production “really soon” to help offset supply disruptions from the Iran war. Hassett indicated the White House is evaluating options aimed at easing near‑term constraints on output.

Hassett said officials are looking at regulatory bottlenecks that slow how quickly equipment and materials move and are studying how to change those procedures to speed up production responses. He did not provide a detailed timetable or specify concrete policy steps, but stressed ongoing, regular communication between the administration and industry stakeholders. The reporting attributes the remarks to Hassett at a White House briefing.

Market participants generally view such measures as short‑term attempts to moderate crude prices; the prospect of increased U.S. supply can weigh on futures in the near term. However, translating regulatory easing into material output gains depends on capital discipline by shale producers, available drilling capacity, and project lead times, meaning any sustained boost in barrels typically takes longer to achieve. The Reuters account frames the administration’s efforts as exploratory rather than immediately effective.

The announcement fits within a broader policy pattern in which the administration has sought to prioritize domestic energy production through accelerated permitting and other deregulatory steps. At the same time, geopolitical disruptions — notably the conflict involving Iran — and OPEC+ supply decisions remain central drivers of global crude prices, which Washington is trying to mitigate without necessarily altering export policies. Structural factors in U.S. production suggest limits to how quickly headline output figures can be raised.

Analysts say the near‑term market reaction will hinge on the credibility and specificity of follow‑up actions: actual permit approvals, changes to offshore or onshore leasing, or logistical fixes could temper prices, but meaningful, durable increases in U.S. output require investment decisions by producers. Key indicators to watch include U.S. crude inventories, rig counts and major producers’ capital expenditure plans; investors will reassess positioning as the administration’s measures, if any, become clearer.