Canadian rig count falls by 15, U.S. down by eight

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Sept. 17 totaled 1,478, down by 23 compared to the previous week but up 48 vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count alone fell by 15 to 246 compared to the previous week and was down by 92 from the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week stood at 1,232, a net decrease of eight rigs compared to the prior week but an increase of 140 rigs when compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous week, land rigs alone dropped by nine to 1,121, while the offshore gained one rig for a total of 93. Inland waters remained unchanged with 18 rigs.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States in the recent week, 1,068 were drilling for natural gas and 163 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 781 were vertical wells, 328 directional wells, and 123 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing U.S. states, Texas took the largest hit in the recent week, losing nine rigs for a total of 514. Oklahoma lost two rigs for a total of 168, while New Mexico lost two rigs for a total of 70 and California lost two rigs for a total of 23. Wyoming gained three rigs for a total of 86. Alaska was unchanged with nine rigs, as well as Louisiana with 163 rigs.