Rig count jumps by 32 to 1,621

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Aug. 20 totaled 1,621, an increase of 32 rigs from the previous week and an increase of 143 rigs compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count alone came in at 391 during the recent week, up by 34 from the prior week but down by two versus the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States slipped by a net two to 1,230 from the previous week but was up by 148 versus the same period last year. Compared to the previous week, land rigs alone fell by two to 1,115, while the number of inland water rigs slipped by one to 20. The offshore count increased by one to 95 rigs.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,055 were drilling for natural gas and 174 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 756 were vertical wells, 324 directional wells, and 150 horizontal wells. Among the leading U.S. producing states, Texas took the biggest single hit in the recent week, falling by 15 from the previous week to 507 rigs. Louisiana’s rig count was down by four to 167, while Alaska’s slipped by one of 10 rigs. However, New Mexico picked up seven rigs for a total of 66. Wyoming picked up three rigs for a total of 86. And Oklahoma picked up three rigs for a total of 170. California was unchanged with 25 rigs.