Canadian rig count falls by 27, U.S. down three

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary rigs operating in North America during the week ending Aug. 13 stood at 1,589, down 30 compared to the previous week but up by 88 vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada accounted for most of the decline in the recent week, losing 27 rigs compared to the previous week for a total of 357. Canada’s rig count also was down by 48 vs. the same weekly period last year.

The United States lost a net three rigs vs. the prior week for a total of 1,232 rigs. The rig count still was up by 136 compared to the year-ago period. Compared to the prior week, the number of offshore rigs alone fell by four to 94, while land rigs slipped by one to 1,117. Inland waters picked up two rigs for a total of 21.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,063 were drilling for natural gas and 168 for oil, while one rig was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 757 were vertical wells, 324 directional wells, and 151 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Oklahoma took the biggest hit vs. the previous week, losing eight rigs to total 167. New Mexico’s rig count was down by five to 59. Texas gained seven rigs to total 522. Louisiana picked up three rigs to total 171, while Alaska’s rig count increased by three to 11. Wyoming remained unchanged with 83 rigs, as well as California with 25 rigs.