Canada drops 77 drilling rigs, United States down by 16

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

The total number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending June 18 fell by a combined 93 rigs to 1,367 compared to the prior week, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes. Canada’s rig count took the largest hit, decreasing by 77 rigs compared to the previous week and was down by 141 rigs versus the same period last year.

The total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week stood at 1,171, down 16 rigs from the previous week and down 104 compared to the year-ago period. Land rigs alone decreased by 15 to 1,005 from the prior week, while offshore rigs dropped by two to 96. Inland waters gained one rig for a total of 20 rigs. Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,006 were drilling for natural gas and 163 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 722 were vertical wells, 316 directional wells and 133 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas suffered the biggest loss of drilling rigs in the recent week, falling by 11 for a total of 490 rigs. Louisiana’s rig count was down by six to 165 rigs. New Mexico lost three rigs for a total of 68, while Oklahoma lost three rigs for a total of 167. California’s rig count was down by two to 23. Alaska was unchanged at seven rigs, according to Baker Hughes.