Canadian rig count drops 70

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

The combined U.S. and Canadian rotary rig count fell by 76 to 579 rigs during the week ending March 19, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes. The number of rigs operating in Canada alone dropped by 70 compared to the previous week to 451, down by two rigs versus the same weekly period a year earlier.

In the United States, the count slipped by a net six rigs from the prior week to 1,128, still up by 182 rigs compared to the same period last year. Land rigs alone fell by four to 1,018. The offshore count was down by one to 93 rigs. And the number of active inland water rigs decreased by one to 17.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 963 were drilling for natural gas and 162 for oil, while three rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 739 were drilling vertical wells, 295 directional wells, and 94 horizontal wells.

Among the major producing states in the United States, Wyoming lost three rigs during the recent week for a total of 60 rigs. New Mexico’s rig count also fell by three to 65. Louisiana’s was down by two rigs to 163. And the number of rigs operating in Alaska was down by one to 10. Texas gained one rig for a total of 489. Oklahoma picked up one rig for a total of 152. California was unchanged at 19 rigs.