North American rig count plummets by 103 to 1,518

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Aug. 27 stood at 1,518, a sharp decline of 103 rigs from the previous week but still up by nine rigs compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada accounted for most of the decline, falling by 112 rigs from the previous week to 279. The total count also was down by 128 rigs vs. the same period last year.

The number of rigs operating in the United States actually increased a net nine to 1,239 compared to the prior week and was up 137 vs. the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week only, the number of land rigs jumped by 12 to 1,127, while the number of offshore rigs decreased by two to 93 and the number of inland waters rigs slipped by one to 19.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,069 were drilling for natural gas and 169 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 774 were vertical wells, 321 directional wells, and 144 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Texas saw its rig count surge by 19 in the recent week to 526 rigs. The count in New Mexico was up by two rigs to 68. Oklahoma lost three rigs for a total of 167. The number of rigs operating in Louisiana decreased by five to 162, while the number of rigs in Wyoming decreased by one to 85 and the number of rigs in Alaska slipped by one to nine. California remained unchanged with 25 rigs.