North American rig count falls by 11 to 1,276

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston Correspondent

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America totaled 1,276 during the week ending April 23, down 11 rigs compared to the previous week but up by 192 vs. the year-ago period, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count stood at 130 at the end of the recent week, down by seven rigs vs. the previous week but up by 32 rigs compared to the same period last year.

There were a total of 1,146 drilling rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, down by a net four rigs from the prior week but up by 160 compared to the year-ago week. Land rigs alone declined by 15 to 1,028, while inland water rigs increased by seven to 23 and offshore rigs increased by four to 95.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 996 were drilling for natural gas and 149 for oil, while one rig was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 755 were drilling vertical wells, 283 directional wells, and 108 horizontal.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas lost 15 rigs during the recent week for a total 485. Alaska’s drilling rig count slipped by one to 10. Louisiana gained 10 rigs for a total of 172. Wyoming picked up two rigs for a total of 63. California picked up two rigs for a total of 26. And Oklahoma gained one rig for a total of 170. New Mexico was unchanged at 62 rigs.