Rig count rebounds in U.S., Canada

Petroleum News

The U.S. and Canadian rig counts bounced back during the week ending Aug. 15, increasing by a combined 30 rigs from the prior week to 1,501, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

In the United States, the total rig count stood at 1,096, up 22 from the prior week and up 243 compared to the same period last year. Land rigs rose by 20 from the prior week and by 247 versus a year ago, while the offshore-inland waters rig count increased by five compared the previous week and decreased by one from the prior year period.

In Canada, the number of rigs active during the week ending Aug. 15 was 405, up by eight compared to the prior week and up by 186 compared to the year-ago period.

Of the total number of rigs active in North America during the week, 933 were drilling gas wells and 158 were drilling oil wells. An additional five rigs were being used for miscellaneous wells. Also, 707 rigs were drilling vertical wells, 287 directional wells, and 102 horizontal wells.

Among the major producing states in the United States, Wyoming was the only one to register a decline, according to Baker Hughes. Wyoming's count slipped by two from the prior week to 63.

Texas was up 10 rigs to 479. Louisiana was up six rigs to 158. New Mexico was up five rigs to 64. Oklahoma was up two rigs to 137. And California was up two rigs to 25. Alaska remained unchanged at seven rigs.