U.S. picks up nine rigs, Canada down by four rigs

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Nov. 19 stood at 1,712, a net increase of five rigs from the previous week and a net gain of 191 rigs compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count actually decreased by four vs. the prior week to 444, but was up by 30 compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States compared to the previous week increased by nine rigs to 1,268 and was up by 161 vs. the same time last year. Compared to the prior week only, offshore rigs jumped by seven to 105, while land rigs increased by two to 1,141. The number of inland water rigs was unchanged at 22.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,080 were drilling for natural gas and 186 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 795 were vertical wells, 346 directional wells, and 127 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing U.S. states, New Mexico alone picked up six rigs for a total of 77, while Texas gained six rigs for a total of 545 and Louisiana picked up one rig for a total of 173. Wyoming’s rig count declined by four to 69, while Oklahoma’s decreased by two to 156. Alaska was unchanged with 11 rigs, as well as California with 26 rigs.