Canada’s drilling rig count falls by 25, U.S. down 14 this week

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary rigs operating in North America during the week ending Dec. 31 decreased by 39 to 1,589 from the previous week but increased 131 compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count during the recent week stood at 346, a decrease of 25 from the prior week but an increase of 14 compared to a year earlier.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week decreased by 14 to 1,243 from the previous week but increased 117 vs. the same period last year. Compared to the previous week alone, land rigs fell by 12 to 1,117 and offshore rigs fell by two to 105. Inland water rigs were unchanged with 21.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,058 were drilling for natural gas and 183 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 803 were vertical wells, 312 directional wells and 128 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Texas was hardest hit during the recent week, down by 14 to 532 rigs. Oklahoma’s rig count decreased by two to 145, while Alaska’s decreased by one to nine and Louisiana’s decreased by one to 169. Wyoming picked up one rig for a total of 76. New Mexico was unchanged with 75 rigs, as well as California with 27 rigs.