U.S., Canadian rig count falls by a combined nine to 1,704

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary rigs operating in the United States and Canada stood at a combined 1,704 during the week ending Dec. 3, a decrease of nine rigs from the previous week but an increase of 128 rigs compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count fell by three to 459 compared to the previous week and also was down by six vs. the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week was 1,245, a net decrease of six rigs compared to the prior week but an increase of 134 rigs vs. the same period last year. Compared to the previous week alone, land rigs declined by nine to 1,121, while the number of offshore rigs increased by three to 105, of which 98 were in the Gulf of Mexico. Inland water rigs were unchanged at 19.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,070 were drilling for natural gas and 173 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 792 were vertical wells, 328 were directional wells, and 125 were horizontal wells.

During the recent week, the rig count fell for all but two of the seven top U.S. producing states. California gained three rigs for a total of 25, while Wyoming picked up two rigs for a total of 71. Oklahoma lost seven rigs for a total of 141, Texas’ rig count slipped by one to 546, New Mexico’s was down by one to 73, Louisiana’s was down by one to 168 and Alaska’s was down by one to nine.

On average, the U.S. rig count for November was 1,262, up 22 from the 1,240 counted in October and up 150 from the 1,112 counted in November 2003. The Canadian rig count for November was 447, up 75 from the 372 counted in October and up 35 from the 412 counted in November 2003.

The worldwide rig count for November was 2,585, up 131 from the 2,454 counted in October and up 281 from the 2,304 counted in November 2003.