U.S. picks up 12 drilling rigs; Canada gains 35 rigs

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in Canada and the United States stood at a combined 1,625 during the week ending June 24, an increase of 47 rigs from the previous week and an increase of 117 rigs compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada alone picked up 35 rigs compared to the previous week for a total of 257 rigs. But the total count was down by 77 rigs when compared to the year-ago period.

The U.S. rig count stood at 1,370 at the end of the week ending June 24, up by 12 rigs compared to the previous week and up by 194 rigs versus the same weekly period in 2004. Compared to the previous week only, land rigs jumped by 10 to 1,250, while offshore rigs increased by two to 97. The number of inland water rigs was unchanged at 23.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the week ending June 24, 1,219 were drilling for natural gas and 149 for oil, while two rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 857 were vertical wells, 331 directional wells and 182 horizontal wells.

Among the top U.S. producing states in the week ending June 24, Wyoming gained three rigs for a total of 74, while California also picked up three rigs for a total of 26. Louisiana’s rig count was 188, up one rig from the previous week. Meanwhile, Oklahoma lost three rigs for a total of 147 and Colorado lost two rigs for a total of 68. Texas was unchanged with 615 rigs, as well as Alaska with 10 rigs and New Mexico with 77 rigs.