Canada’s rig count up 91; U.S. unchanged

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending July 1 stood at a combined 1,718, an increase of 91 rigs from the previous week and an increase of 120 rigs from the same weekly period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada had a reported 348 rigs at the end of the recent week and accounted for the entire 91-rig increase in North America when compared to the prior week. However, Canada’s rig count still was down by 49 compared to the same period last year.

The number of rigs operating in the United States stood at 1,370, in total unchanged from the previous week but up 169 rigs from the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week only, offshore rigs were up by two to 99, while inland water rigs were up by one to 24. However, the number of land rigs dropped by three to 1,247.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,211 were drilling for natural gas and 157 for oil, while two rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 854 were vertical wells, 333 directional wells and 183 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states compared to the previous week only, Texas lost eight rigs for a total 607 rigs, while New Mexico lost three rigs for a total of 74 rigs. Wyoming’s rig count increased by four to 78, while Oklahoma’s increased by three to 150 and Louisiana’s increased by two to 190. Alaska’s rig count was unchanged at 10, as well as California’s at 26 and Colorado’s at 68.

—Ray Tyson