Canada gains 37 rigs, U.S. down by six

Ray Tyson

The combined number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending Sept. 9 totaled 1,999, a net increase of 31 rigs from the previous week and a net increase of 498 rigs from the same weekly period last year, rig monitor Baker Hughes said.

Canada’s rig count jumped by 37 compared to the previous week for a total of 558 rigs. It also increased by 297 rigs vs. the same period a year earlier.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week totaled 1,441, a net loss of six rigs compared to the prior week but a net increase of 201 rigs compared to the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week only, offshore rigs declined by six for a total of 90 rigs, while inland water rigs decreased by one for a total of 24 rigs. Land rigs increased by one for a total of 1,327 rigs.

Of the total number of drilling rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,221 were drilling for natural gas and 215 for oil, while five rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 905 were vertical wells, 343 directional wells and 193 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Louisiana suffered a loss of nine rigs compared to the prior week for a total of 189 rigs, while Texas gained nine rigs for a total 638 rigs. Colorado’s rig count fell by five to 73, while California’s dropped by three to 24 and Alaska’s fell by three to seven. New Mexico picked up three rigs for a total of 94 rigs. And Oklahoma gained two rigs for a total 152 rigs. Wyoming was unchanged with 86 rigs.