Canada’s drilling rig count jumps by 87, U.S. up by 16

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending Jan. 14 stood at a collective 1,806, up by 103 compared to the previous week and up by 116 vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count jumped by 87 to 548 compared to the prior week but was down by 15 compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week increased by 16 to 1,258 from the previous week and increased by 131 vs. the same period last year. Compared to the previous week alone, land rigs increased by 19 to 1,136, while offshore rigs declined by three to 103. Inland water rigs were unchanged with 19.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,084 were drilling for natural gas and 172 for oil, while two rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 806 were vertical wells, 321 directional wells and 131 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Texas gained the most rigs during the recent week, up by nine to 549 vs. the previous week. Wyoming picked up two rigs for a total of 78 rigs, while Louisiana also picked up two rigs for a total of 163 rigs. Oklahoma’s rig count was down by three to 146, while New Mexico’s slipped by one to 74 and California’s slipped by one to 26. Alaska was unchanged with seven rigs.

—Ray Tyson