Canada picks up 57 drilling rigs, U.S. gains one rig in weekly survey

The combined number of rotary drilling rigs operating in Canada and the United States during the week ending Oct. 14 stood at 2,016, an increase of 58 rigs from the previous week and an increase of 381 rigs from the same weekly period a year ago, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada alone picked up 57 rigs from the previous week for a total of 534 rigs, and was ahead by 124 rigs compared to the same period last year.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week stood at 1,482, a net increase of one rig from the prior week and a net increase of 257 rigs compared to the year-ago period. Compared to the previous week alone, offshore rigs increased by two for a total of 88 rigs, while inland water rigs increased by one for a total of 21 rigs. Land rigs fell by two for a total of 1,373 rigs.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,262 were drilling for natural gas and 215 for oil, while five rigs were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 931 were vertical wells, 341 directional wells and 210 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states, Louisiana picked up seven rigs from the previous week for a total of 181 rigs. Texas gained three rigs for a total of 666 rigs. And California gained two rigs for a total of 27 rigs. Wyoming’s rig count decreased by five for a total of 82 rigs, while New Mexico’s decreased by one for a total of 95 rigs. Alaska’s rig count was unchanged at 10 rigs, as well as Colorado’s at 86 rigs and Oklahoma’s at 156 rigs.

—Ray Tyson