Canadian rig count increases by 16, U.S. down by nine

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Nov. 12 stood at 1,707, up by seven rigs compared to the previous week and up by 173 vs. the same period last year.

The Canadian rig count increased by 16 from the previous week to 448 which also was up by 25 rigs compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week vs. the prior week fell by nine to 1,259, but was up 148 rigs compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous week, land rigs alone fell by 10 to 1,139, while inland water rigs decreased by one to 22. The offshore rig count increased by two to 98.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,079 were drilling for natural gas and 179 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 790 were vertical wells, 341 directional wells, and 128 horizontal wells.

Among the major producing U.S. states, Oklahoma lost 10 rigs for a total of 158, while Wyoming lost nine rigs for a total of 73, Louisiana lost six rigs for a total of 172 and New Mexico lost one rig for a total of 71. Texas gained 15 rigs for a total of 539. Alaska was unchanged with 11 rigs, as well as California with 26 rigs.