Canada gains 12 rigs, U.S. up by three rigs; combined tally stands at 1,968

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending Sept. 2 totaled 1,968, an increase of 15 rigs from the previous week and an increase of 424 rigs from the same weekly period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count stood at 521, up by 12 rigs compared to the prior week and up by 226 rigs compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week was 1,447, up by a net three rigs from the previous week and up by 198 rigs from the same period last year. Compared to the previous week only, land rigs increased by seven to 1,326, while offshore rigs fell by four to 96. Inland water rigs were unchanged at 25.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the week, 1,219 were drilling for natural gas and 223 for oil, while five were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 895 were vertical wells, 361 directional wells and 191 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, New Mexico’s rig count soared by 10 in the recent week for a total of 91 but was offset by a loss of 10 rigs in Oklahoma, which totaled 150. Texas picked up one rig for a total of 629 rigs. Wyoming gained two rigs for a total of 86 rigs. And Colorado picked up one rig for a total of 78 rigs. Louisiana’s rig count slipped by one to 198, while California’s slipped by one for a total of 27 rigs. Alaska was unchanged with 10 rigs.

—Ray Tyson