North American rig count up by 36 to 1,460 in weekly report

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

The number of rigs operating in North America rose by 36 from the previous week to 1,460 during the week ending June 11, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes. The overall rig count was up by 74 compared to the year-ago period.

Canada’s rig count alone increased by 17 to 273 from the prior week, but was down by 42 rigs compared to the same period last year.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week increased by 19 to 1,187 versus the previous week, and was up by 116 versus a year ago.

Land rigs alone rose by 16 to 1,070 from the previous week, while offshore rigs increased by six to 98 and inland water rigs decreased three to 19.

Of the rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,024 were drilling for natural gas and 162 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 744 were vertical wells, 312 directional wells and 131 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas gained the most rigs during the recent week, up by seven to 501. New Mexico’s rig count increased by five to 71. Wyoming picked up three rigs for a total of 77, while California picked up three rigs to total 25 for the week. Louisiana’s rig count increased by two to 171, while Oklahoma’s was up two to 170. Alaska was unchanged at seven rigs.