North American rig count rises by 40 to 1,527

The North American rotary rig count continued its upward march during the week ending Oct. 10, rising by 40 to 1,527, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

In Canada, the weekly rig count increased by 22 to 418, up by 210 rigs compared to the same period last year. It was the second consecutive week of increases following nearly a month of declines in the Canadian rig count.

In the United States, the count rose by a net 18 rigs to 1,109, up by 260 rigs compared to the same weekly period last year. Land rigs alone increased by 25 to 988, while the inland waters-offshore count fell by seven.

Of the 1,109 active rigs in the United States during the week, 950 were drilling gas wells, 155 oil wells, and four were used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 747 rigs were drilling vertical wells, 273 directional wells and 89 horizontal wells, according to Baker Hughes.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas registered the largest gain in active rigs during the week, up by 15 to 468. New Mexico's rig count increased by six to 68. California was up by two to 27 rigs. And Alaska increased by one to 10 rigs. Louisiana's rig count fell by five to 159, while Wyoming's count fell by one to 70 rigs. Oklahoma was unchanged at 139 rigs.