Rig count jumps by 31 to 1,509

Petroleum News

The North American rotary rig count surged during the week ending Aug. 29, with the United States and Canada posting solid gains for a combined 1,509 rigs, up 31 from the previous week, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

In the United States, there were 979 active land rigs, an increase of 20 from the previous week and up 257 compared to the same weekly period last year. The combined offshore-inland waters count stood at 111 rigs, up one from the prior week and up two versus the same period last year. In Canada, there were 407 active rigs during the week ending Aug. 29, up 11 from the previous week and up 142 compared to the same weekly period last year, according to Baker Hughes. Of the U.S.-Canadian rigs operating, 944 were drilling gas wells, up 16 from the previous week. There were 154 rigs drilling oil wells, up five compared to the prior week, and four rigs used for miscellaneous purposes, down one from the previous week. Among the major producing states in the United States, Oklahoma had 145 active rigs, an increase of 12 from the previous week. Texas increased by eight rigs to 491. Wyoming increased by six rigs to 66. Alaska increased by one rig to six and Louisiana decreased by four rigs to 149.