Canada, U.S. drilling rig count increases by 19 to 1,582

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending May 20 stood at a combined 1,582 rigs, up 19 rigs from the previous week and up 209 rigs from the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count alone increased by 12 from the prior week to a total of 267 rigs and was up by 66 rigs compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week totaled 1,315, an increase of seven rigs from the prior week and an increase of 143 rigs from the same period last year. Compared to the prior week only, land rigs increased by six to 1,202, while offshore rigs increased by two to 90. Inland water rigs slipped by one to 23.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the prior week, 1,169 were drilling for natural gas and 146 for oil. Of the total, 830 were vertical wells, 309 directional wells and 176 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states during the recent week, Louisiana gained four rigs for a total of 177 rigs. Oklahoma’s rig count increased by three to 149, while Wyoming’s increased by three to 71 and California’s increased by one to 27. Texas lost seven rigs for a total of 591 rigs and Colorado lost one rig for a total of 64 rigs. New Mexico’s rig count was unchanged with 83 rigs, as well as Alaska with eight rigs, according to Baker Hughes.

—Ray Tyson