Schlumberger reports U.S. rig fleet utilization at 20-year high

Petroleum News • Alaska

The number of available rigs in the United States has risen after two years of decline, according to the 49th annual Schlumberger Reed-Hycalog rig census, released Sept. 27. Schlumberger said high commodity prices have caused the rig activity level to rise dramatically, pushing utilization to 93 percent, a level not seen since the early 1980s.

The Schlumberger rig count for Alaska shows 27 rigs available in 2001, compared to 24 in 2000; with 13 active this year compared to six last year last, utilization rates of 48 percent for 2001 compared to 25 percent in 2002.

This year's census results were computed using a 45-day period, May 5 to June 18, Schlumberger said, after the completion of the North Slope winter exploration season.

The national Schlumberger rig total is 1,722 rigs available this year, compared to 1,636 rigs last year (a 5 percent increase), and 1,593 rigs active this year (93 percent utilization) compared to 1,215 rigs active last year (74 percent utilization).

John Deane, Schlumberger vice president of Drilling Technologies, told the International Association of Drilling Contractors in New Orleans, La.: "The decline in the number of rigs that began 19 years ago has leveled off and begun an upturn."

Deane said that last year's count of 1,636 was the all-time low in the history of the rig census.