U.S. gains 16 rigs, Canada loses 3 rigs; combined rig count stands at 2,078

Ray Tyson

The combined number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending Nov. 4 stood at 2,078, a net increase of 13 rigs from the previous week and a net gain of 378 rigs compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count during the recent week totaled 582, a decrease of three rigs from the prior week and an increase of 150 rigs vs. the year-ago period.

The total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week totaled 1,496, an increase of 16 rigs from the prior week and an increase of 228 rigs compared to the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week only, land rigs increased by 13 to total 1,385, inland water rigs increased by two to total 23, and offshore rigs increased by one to total 88.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,260 were drilling for natural gas and 231 for oil, while five were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 940 were vertical wells, 355 directional wells and 201 horizontal wells. Among the leading U.S. producing states during the recent week, Texas gained 11 rigs for a total of 676 rigs, while Louisiana picked up five rigs for a total of 181 rigs. Wyoming gained three rigs for a total of 91 rigs. New Mexico’s rig count fell by four for a total of 88 rigs, while Oklahoma’s fell by one for a total of 152 rigs and Alaska’s slipped by one for a total of seven rigs. California’s rig count was unchanged at 31 rigs, as well as Colorado’s at 86 rigs.