Canada picks up 18 rigs, U.S. down by 17 in weekly survey

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Nov. 24 stood at 1,713, up by one rig compared to the previous week and up by 166 rigs vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count increased by 18 from the prior week to 462 and was up by 28 compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States fell by 17 to 1,251 vs. the previous week, but was up by 138 from the year-ago period. Compared to the prior week alone, land rigs decreased by 11 to 1,130, offshore rigs decreased by three to 102, and inland water rigs decreased by three to 19.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,072 were drilling for natural gas and 177 for oil, while two rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 788 were vertical wells, 340 directional wells, and 123 horizontal wells.

Among the top producing U.S. states, Oklahoma’s rig count fell by eight to 148, California’s decreased by four to 22, Louisiana’s was down by four to 169, New Mexico’s declined by three to 74, and Alaska’s slipped by one to 10. The number of rigs operating in Texas increased by two to 547. Wyoming was unchanged with 69 rigs.