Canada picks up 24 rigs, U.S. loses 16 rigs in weeky count

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Dec. 17 stood at 1,758, up by a net eight rigs compared to the previous week and up by a net 151 rigs vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count, compared to the previous week, increased by 24 to 524 rigs, and also increased 29 compared to the same period a year earlier.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week stood at 1,234, a decrease of 16 rigs from the prior week but an increase of 122 rigs vs. the same period last year. Compared to the previous week, land rigs alone decreased by 16 to 1,106, while inland water rigs increased by one to 21 and offshore rigs decreased by one to 107. Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,050 were drilling for natural gas and 182 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 793 were vertical wells, 315 directional wells, and 126 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Louisiana’s rig count during the recent week fell by seven to 166, while Oklahoma’s decreased by five to 142. Wyoming lost three rigs to total 74. California lost two rigs to total 25. And Texas lost one rig to total 532. New Mexico gained two rigs to total 75, while Alaska picked up one rig to total 11.