Workers abusing and producing methamphetamines have left oil producers struggling to fill jobs, causing delays in projects and helping push up the price of oil and petrol in the US and around the world.

The problem was a big challenge in states such as Texas, Colorado, Louisiana and Oklahoma, industry insiders said. Ron Walsmith, director of oil & gas training at the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Training Center, said entire rig crews of up to 12 people had been fired for making or using the drug. Methamphetamine labs have even been found on rigs, which is dangerous because both are highly explosive.