Canada gains 34 drilling rigs, U.S. up 10

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending May 21 stood at 1,373, an increase of 44 rigs compared to the previous week and an increase of 132 rigs versus the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada alone picked up 34 rigs in the recent week for a total of 201 rigs, an increase of 10 rigs compared to the same period last year.

In the United States, the overall rig count rose to 1,172, an increase of 10 rigs compared to the previous week and an increase of 122 versus the year-ago period. Land rigs alone in the recent week increased 13 to 1,056, while the inland waters stood at 21, down three rigs from the previous week. The offshore count remained unchanged at 95 rigs.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States, 1,018 were drilling for natural gas and 153 for oil, while one rig was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 761 were vertical wells, 287 directional wells, and 124 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Louisiana gained six rigs in the recent week for a total of 171 rigs. Texas picked up four rigs for a total of 507 rigs. Wyoming’s rig count increased by three to 70. Oklahoma’s dropped by three to 154, while California lost three rigs for a total of 23. Alaska was unchanged at seven rigs and New Mexico was unchanged at 64 rigs.