Rig count remains unchanged at 1,669

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston Correspondent

The North American rotary rig count stood at 1,669 for the week ending Feb. 6, unchanged from the previous week, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes. A decline of 33 rigs in Canada was offset by a gain of 33 rigs in the United States.

There were 552 rigs operating in Canada during the recent week, up by four rigs compared to the same period last year.

In the United States, the rig count stood at 1,119 during the recent week, up from 884 versus the same period last year. Land rigs alone increased by 24 to 997. Inland water rigs rose by five to 20, while offshore rigs increased by four to 100.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States, 968 were drilling natural gas wells and 144 oil wells, while five were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 730 were drilling vertical wells, 292 directional wells, and 95 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas increased its rig count by 24 to 486. Louisiana’s was up by 16 to 166 rigs. California’s rose by three to 20 rigs. Wyoming’s rig count declined by two to 64 rigs. New Mexico’s fell by one to 60 rigs. And Oklahoma’s dropped by one to 146 rigs. Alaska remained unchanged at 10 rigs.