Rig count jumps in Canada, United States to 1,690

Petroleum News

The North American rotary rig count during the week ending Jan. 16 rose in both the United States and Canada to a combined 1,690 rigs, up 96 from the previous and week and up 325 compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The biggest increase came in Canada where exploration and production companies continued to ramp up for the winter drilling season. The count increased by 75 to 563 rigs versus the previous week, and also was up by 43 rigs compared to the same week last year.

The United States regained nearly all of the rigs lost during the previous week, increasing by a net 21 to 1,127 rigs. That also was an increase of 282 rigs compared to the same period last year. Land rigs alone increased by three to 1,003 and offshore rigs increased by three to 104, while inland water rigs decreased by two to 20.

Of all rigs operating in the United States, 980 were drilling for natural gas and 145 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes, according the Baker Hughes. Of the total, 750 were drilling vertical wells, 288 directional wells and 89 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas registered the largest increase in rigs, increasing by 17 to 466 rigs. Wyoming picked three rigs for a total of 71. California’s count increased by one to 26 rig, and Louisiana’s was up by one to 163 rigs. Alaska was unchanged at 10 rigs. Oklahoma’s count slipped by three to 146 rigs, and New Mexico’s was down by two to 70 rigs.