North American rig count drops by 78 to 1,520

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending July 9 fell by a net 78 to 1,520 compared to the previous week but increased by 73 rigs versus the same weekly period a year ago, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada accounted for the entire loss, falling by 84 rigs to 313 compared to the prior week. The number of rigs operating in the country during the recent week also was down by 69 when compared to the year-ago period.

The overall decline was partially offset in the United States, which gained a net six rigs from the previous week to total 1,207 and picked up 142 versus the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week the land rig count alone increased by seven to 1,092, while inland waters picked up one rig to total 19. Offshore, the rig count decreased by two to 96.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,028 were drilling for natural gas and 177 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 740 were vertical wells, 330 directional wells, and 137 horizontal wells. California’s rig count increased by three to 28 and Oklahoma’s rose by three to 170. New Mexico picked up two rigs for a total of 68 and Alaska gained two rigs for a total of 10. The Texas rig count fell by four to 495 and Louisiana’s fell by three to 167. Wyoming was unchanged at 85 rigs.