U.S., Canada lose 43 rigs to total 1,501

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Sept. 10 stood at 1,501, down by 43 compared to the previous week but up by 28 vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count fell by 34 to 261 compared to the previous week and was down by 117 compared to the same period last year.

The number of rigs operating in the United States stood at 1,240, down by nine from the prior week but up by 145 from the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week, land rigs alone fell by seven to 1,130, while offshore rigs dropped by two to 92. The inland waters rig count was unchanged at 18.

Of the total number of operating rigs in the United States in the recent week, 1,069 were drilling for natural gas and 170 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 777 were vertical wells, 330 directional wells, and 133 horizontal wells.

Among the top producing U.S. states in the recent week, Texas lost a hefty 13 rigs for a total of 523. Louisiana gained one rig for a total of 163, while Alaska gained two rigs for a total of nine. Wyoming lost one rig for a total 83. Oklahoma was unchanged with 170 rigs, as well as New Mexico with 72 rigs and California with 25 rigs.