U.S. rig count falls by 17, Canada down by 13; total stands at 2,048 rigs

The combined number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending Nov. 11 totaled 2,048, a decrease of 30 rigs from the previous week and a gain of 341 rigs from the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count during the recent week totaled 569, down 13 rigs compared to the prior week and up 121 rigs versus the same period a year earlier.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week totaled 1,479, a decrease of 17 rigs compared to the previous week and an increase of 220 rigs compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous week only, land rigs declined by 10 to 1,375, while offshore rigs decreased by six to 82 and inland water rigs decreased by one to 22.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,232 of them were drilling for natural gas and 241 for oil, while six rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 931 were vertical wells, 340 directional wells and 208 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states during the recent week, Texas’ rig count plummeted by 13 for a total of 663 rigs, while Louisiana’s fell by four to 177 rigs, Colorado’s fell by four to 82 rigs and Alaska’s slipped by one for a total of six rigs. Oklahoma picked up three rigs for a total of 155 rigs. California gained two rigs for a total of 33 rigs. Wyoming picked up a rig for a total of 92 rigs. And New Mexico gained a rig for a total of 89 rigs.

—Ray Tyson