U.S., Canadian rig counts jump by 56 to 1,652

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary rigs operating in North America during the week ending July 30 totaled 1,652, up by 56 rigs compared to the previous week and up by 139 vs. the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count during the recent week rose by 43 to 423, an increase of 43 rigs from the prior week and an increase of seven compared to the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States increased by a net 13 from the previous week to 1,229 and was up by 132 compared to a year earlier. Compared to the prior week, land rigs alone rose by 17 to 1,114, while offshore rigs decreased by one to 98 and those in inland waters decreased by three to 17.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,057 were drilling for natural gas and 171 for oil, while one was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 771 were vertical wells, 323 directional wells and 135 horizontal wells.

Among the leading producing states in the United States, Texas saw its rig count increased by six to 514 during the recent week. Wyoming’s rig count increased by three to 83, while Alaska’s increased by one rig to 11. Louisiana’s count dropped by six for a total of 162 rigs; Oklahoma lost three rigs for a total of 175. And New Mexico lost one rig for a total of 65. California was unchanged at 25 rigs.