U.S. gains 25 rigs; Canada loses 54 in weekly survey

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America totaled 1,606 during the week ending Oct. 22, down 29 rigs compared to the previous week but up 127 rigs vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count alone dropped 54 compared to the previous week to 356 and also was down by 33 rigs from the year-ago period.

Canada’s loss was partly offset in the United States, which saw its rigs count increase by 25 to 1,250 from the previous week. The rig count also was up 160 compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous week only, the land rig count increased by 20 to 1,135, while the offshore rig count increased by three to 95. Inland waters picked up two rigs for a total of 20.

Of all rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,071 were drilling for natural gas and 178 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 780 were vertical wells, 341 directional wells and 129 horizontal wells.

Of the leading producing states, Texas gained 21 rigs in the recent week for a total of 534 rigs, while Louisiana picked up 12 rigs for a total of 177 rigs. However, Oklahoma’s rig count fell by eight to 150. Wyoming lost two rigs for a total of 81, while California lost two rigs for a total of 25 and Alaska’s rig count slipped by one to 11. New Mexico was unchanged with 65 rigs.