Canada picks up five rigs, U.S. down by five rigs in survey

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Oct. 15 stood at 1,635, unchanged from the previous week but up 129 compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count rose by five to 410 vs. the previous week and was up by 19 compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States dropped by five to 1,225 from the previous week and was up by 110 compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous week, offshore rigs alone fell by four to 92, while land rigs slipped by one to 1,115. Inland water rigs remained unchanged at 18.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,057 were drilling for natural gas and 167 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 766 were vertical wells, 334 directional wells, and 125 horizontal wells. Among the leading producing states, New Mexico’s rig count fell by seven to 65. Oklahoma lost five rigs for a total of 158, while Louisiana lost four rigs for a total of 165 and Wyoming lost one rig for a total of 83. California picked up two rigs for a total of 27, while Texas gained one rig for a total of 513. Alaska was unchanged with 12 rigs.