Canada rigs jump on winter drilling

Petroleum News

The North America rotary rig count, spurred by the start of the winter drilling season in Canada, rose by a net 29 to 1,576 rigs during the week ending Dec. 5, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The number of rigs operating in Canada, compared to the previous week, increased by 31 to 465 rigs, up 141 rigs vs. the same period last year.

In the United States, however, the number of operating rigs fell by a net two to 1,111, still up by 259 rigs compared to the same weekly period last year. The loss of six land rigs was partly offset by a gain of two offshore rigs and two inland water rigs.

Of the total number of rigs working in the United States during the recent week, 956 were drilling for natural gas and 153 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes, according to Baker Hughes. Of the total, 742 were drilling vertical wells, 273 directional wells and 96 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Alaska gained two rigs for a total of 13, while Louisiana also picked up two rigs for a total of 159. Texas increased by one rig to 475. Wyoming registered a loss of five rigs for a total of 60. Oklahoma lost four rigs to 141. New Mexico lost two rigs to 68. And California lost one rig to 25.

Meanwhile, the average U.S. rig count for November 2003 was 1,112, up 10 from the previous month and up 278 compared to the same monthly period last year. The average Canada rig count for November 2003 was 412, up 18 from the previous month and up 131 from the same period last year.

The worldwide rig count for November 2003 was 2,304, up 18 from the previous month and up 429 compared to the same monthly period last year, according to Baker Hughes.