American Oil Producers Boost Fracking Output as Fuel Prices Surge

Workers tend to a well head during a hydraulic fracturing operation at an Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. gas well outside Rifle, in western Colorado on March 29, 2013. AP Photo/Brennan Linsley

U.S. oil production is set to rise above $80 a barrel, with the surge in prices seeing a boost in output by shale producers.

Benchmark U.S. crude futures prices have jumped more than $5 a barrel since the end of December.