Canada’s rig count surges, United States count falters

Petroleum News

The North American rotary rig count, lifted by winter demand in Canada, jumped by 136 to 1,594 rigs for the week ending Jan. 9, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The number of rigs operating in Canada compared to the previous the week surged by 156 to 488, also up by 44 rigs versus the same period a year earlier.

In contrast, the United States took a beating as the weekly count tumbled by a net 20 rigs to 1,106, but was still up by 255 rigs compared to the same period last year. Land rigs alone fell by 20 to 988, while offshore rigs slipped by three to 101. Inland waters saw an increase of three rigs to 22.

Of all rigs operating during the week in the United States, 957 were drilling for natural gas and 147 for oil, while two rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 737 rigs were drilling vertical wells, 277 directional wells, and 92 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas was hardest hit during the week as its rig count plummeted by 29 to 449. New Mexico’s fell by three to 72 rigs. Alaska’s dropped by two to 10 rigs. And California’s slipped by one to 25. Louisiana’s rig count increased by four to 162, while Oklahoma’s was up by four to 149. Wyoming gained two rigs to end the week with 68.