Crude output at major U.S. shale plays is poised to climb for the first time in six months, as oil prices rise on planned cuts by OPEC and other producers. U.S. shale production could top 4.542 million barrels a day, a modest increase from December forecasts, the Energy Information Administration said in its Drilling Productivity report released Monday. The gain is being led by the oil-rich Permian basin of New Mexico and Texas, where production has risen steadily for the past 15 months. EIA projects Permian output to rise by 37,000 barrels in January, reaching a record of 2.13 million barrels a day. The Niobrara shale play in Colorado and Wyoming is expected to see a modest 3,000 barrel-a -day uptick in January output, while the Eagle Ford in South Texas and Bakken shale fields of North Dakota will continue to extend declines. The forecast comes […]