CHEYENNE (WNE) — Oil prices rose last month, according to Wyoming Insight, which serves as an energy index and business indicators report for the state.

Oil prices climb back toward $100/bbl. Natural gas prices are still under $3/MMBtu.

The West Texas Intermediate monthly average price for crude oil was $97.31 per barrel in September, 16% more than a month ago and 52.1% more than September 2025. 

Average active oil rigs were 14 in September and the conventional gas rig count was two. 

In September of last year, there were eight oil rigs and five gas rigs.

The September 2026 natural gas price at the Henry Hub averaged $2.95 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), $0.18 more than last month, but $0.02 less than September 2025. 

The Opal Hub natural gas price averaged $2.67/ MMBtu in September, $0.08 less than last month and $0.20 less than September 2025.

Statewide sales and use tax collections increased substantially year-over-year.

Total sales and use tax collections in September summed to $98.8 million, $10.2 million more (+11.5%) than September last year. 

“Sales & use tax collections in September improved by more than 10% for the fourth month in a row,” said Dylan Bainer, principal economist for Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division, in a news release. 

Collections from the retail trade sector, which is Wyoming’s largest sector in terms of sales and use tax collections, improved the most, up $5.8 million (+16.4%). The mining sector also had a strong month in September, up $3.1 million (+39.2%).

The September 2026 issue of the Wyoming Insight is available at the state of Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division website, ai.wyo. gov/divisions/economic-analysis.

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