North American rig count up by 43 to 1,761 in weekly drilling survey

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending July 8 stood at a combined 1,761, an increase of 43 rigs from the previous week and an increase of 241 rigs from the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count alone increased from the previous week by 19 to 367, and represented a 54 rig increase from the same period last year.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week was 1,394, an increase of 24 rigs from the prior week and an increase of 187 rigs from the same week a year-ago. Compared to the previous week alone, land rigs rose by 21 to 1,268, inland water rigs were up by two to 26, and offshore rigs were up by one to 100.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,235 were drilling for natural gas and 157 for oil, while two rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 874 were vertical wells, 335 directional wells, and 185 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Texas gained 12 rigs compared to the previous week for a total of 619 rigs. New Mexico picked up nine rigs for a total of 83 rigs. Louisiana’s rig count increased by five to 195, while Wyoming’s rig count increased by two to 80 and Colorado’s increased by one to 69. Oklahoma lost two rigs for a total of 148 rigs. California lost two rigs for a total of 24 rigs. Alaska’s rig count slipped by one to nine.

—Ray Tyson