Baker Hughes Co. reported today that the number of US oil rigs rose by 7 to 401 rigs this week.

The number of natural gas rigs fell by 1 to 101 rigs, with the total number of natural gas and oil rising by 6 to 502 rigs.

Oil prices rose on Friday, as the US dollar rose slightly against most peers, with Brent rising near $73 a barrel.

The Energy Information Administration reported yesterday that the US crude inventories fell 1.5 million barrels to 423.9 million barrels during the past week, while analysts forecast a drop by 7.4 million barrels.

The Chinese government revealed yesterday that it released oil from its strategic crude oil reserves.

The dollar index rose against a basket of major currencies by 0.1% to 92.5 points as of 17:34 GMT, after hitting a high of 92.5 points and a low of 92.3 points.

As of 17:28 GMT, WTI crude October futures rose by 2.1% to $69.59 a barrel.

Brent November futures rose 1.9% to $72.8 a barrel.

The US dollar rose against most major currencies on Friday, after the release of upbeat data, which showed new signs of rising inflation in the US.

The US Transportation Security Administration decided to increase the fine for refusing to wear a mask in public transportation to $3,000.

This comes amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, especially after the new highly transmissible delta strain emerged, which sparked worries over the global economic recovery.

Data showed that the US producer price index for August rose 0.7%, slightly higher than forecasts of 0.6%.

The producer price index core reading (excluding food and fuel prices) was at 0.6%, higher than forecasts of 0.5%.

The dollar index rose against a basket of major currencies by 0.1% to 92.5 points as of 19:10 GMT, after hitting a high of 92.5 points and a low of 92.3 points.

Gold prices fell on Friday, as the US dollar rose slightly against most peers, after the release of upbeat economic data.

The US Transportation Security Administration decided to increase the fine for refusing to wear a mask in public transportation to $3,000.

This comes amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, especially after the new highly transmissible delta strain emerged, which sparked worries over the global economic recovery.

Data showed that the US producer price index for August rose 0.7%, slightly higher than forecasts of 0.6%.

The dollar index rose against a basket of major currencies by 0.1% to 92.5 points as of 19:47 GMT, after hitting a high of 92.5 points and a low of 92.3 points.

As of 19:47 GMT, gold spot prices fell 0.5% to $1,790.1 an ounce.