Canadian rig count plummets by 97, U.S. gains 19 rigs in weekly survey

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending June 17 stood at a combined 1,580, down 78 rigs from the previous week but up 213 rigs from the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

The Canadian rig count alone was 222, a decrease of 97 rigs compared to the previous week but an increase of 26 rigs versus the year-ago period.

The number of drilling rigs operating in the United States during the recent week stood at 1,358, an increase of 19 rigs from the prior week and an increase of 187 rigs compared to the same period last year.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,210 were drilling for natural gas and 146 for oil, while two rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 848 were vertical wells, 329 directional wells and 181 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states in the recent week, Texas saw a huge 20-rig increase for a total of 615 rigs. Colorado’s rig count increased by one to 70 rigs, while Louisiana’s increased by one to 187 rigs and Oklahoma’s increased by one 150 rigs. The number of rigs operating in California decreased by one to 23 rigs. Alaska was unchanged with 10 rigs, as well as New Mexico with 77 rigs and Wyoming with 71 rigs.

—Ray Tyson