U.S., Canadian rig count numbers continue to mount

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

Both the U.S. and Canadian drilling rig counts continued to pick up momentum during the week ending July 2, increasing by a combined 88 from the previous week to total 1,598 rigs, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes. That also was an increase of 146 rigs compared to the same weekly period last year.

The number of rigs operating in Canada during the recent week alone rose by 63 rigs to 397 rigs versus the prior week and was up by 22 rigs compared to the same period last year.

In the United States, the overall rig count compared to the previous week increased by a 25 to 1,201, also an increase of 124 rigs versus the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week, land rigs alone increased by 22 to 1,085, while offshore rigs increased by three to 98. Inland water rigs remained unchanged at 18.

Of all rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,031 were drilling for natural gas and 168 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, there were 742 vertical wells, 326 directional wells, and 133 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas scored the largest gain in rigs versus the previous week, increasing by eight to 499 rigs. Wyoming picked up five rigs to total 85. Louisiana gained three rigs to total 170. Alaska’s rig count increased by two to total eight while Oklahoma’s increased by two to 167 rigs. California picked up one rig to total 25. New Mexico remained unchanged at 66 rigs.