Rig count rebounds in U.S., Canada, up to 1,316 April 30

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

The number of rotary rigs operating in the United States and Canada, after several sluggish weeks, jumped by 40 for a combined 1,316 rigs during the week ending April 30, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes. The North American rig count also was up by 205 compared to the same period a year ago.

In Canada, the rig count stood at 155 during the recent week, up from the previous week and up 45 vs. the same period last year.

The number of rigs operating in the United States rose by a net 15 to 1,161 in the recent week and was up 160 compared to the year-ago week. Land rigs alone increased by 12 to 1,040, while offshore rigs increased by three to 98. Inland water rigs were unchanged at 23.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,002 were drilling for natural gas and 158 for oil, while one rig was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 767 were vertical wells, 284 directional wells, and 110 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas saw its rig count surge by 17 to 502 during the recent week, while Louisiana’s increased by two to 174 rigs. Wyoming was unchanged at 63, as well as California at 26. Oklahoma lost five rigs for a total of 165. New Mexico lost three rigs for a total of 59. And Alaska was down by two rigs to eight.