North American rig count up by 136 to 1,897 in weekly Baker Hughes survey

The number of rotary rigs operating in the United States and Canada during the week ending July 15 totaled 1,897, an increase of 136 rigs from the previous week and an increase of 445 from the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes. The rig count in Canada alone stood at 493, up by a whopping 126 rigs compared to the previous week and up by 252 rigs vs. the year ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week increased by 10 compared to the prior week to 1,404 and was up by 193 rigs compared to a year earlier. Compared to the previous week alone, land rigs increased by 13 to 1,281 rigs, while inland water rigs decreased by one to 25 rigs and offshore rigs decreased by two to 98.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,234 rigs were drilling for natural gas and 168 for oil, while two were being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 877 were vertical wells, 344 directional wells and 183 horizontal wells.

Among the leading U.S. producing states during the recent week, New Mexico picked up seven rigs for a total of 90. Oklahoma’s rig count increased by three to 151, while Alaska’s increased by one to 10. California’s rig count decreased by one to 23, while Colorado’s slipped by one to 68 rigs and Louisiana’s decreased by one to 194 rigs. Wyoming lost three rigs for a total of 77 rigs. Texas’ rig count was unchanged with 619 rigs.

—Ray Tyson