Baker Hughes: US drilling rig count edges down to 1,738

The US drilling rig count dropped a single unit to 1,738 rigs working during the week ended Oct. 25, Baker Hughes Inc. reported.

A 4-unit gain in offshore rigs, bringing that total to 62, was offset by a 3-unit decline in land-based rigs to 1,659, and a 2-unit decline in rigs drilling in inland waters to 17.

Gas rigs climbed 4 units to 376, which was nullified by a 4-unit dive in oil rigs to 1,357. Rigs considered unclassified lost 1 unit from a week ago to 5.

Directional drilling rigs picked up 10 units to 249. Meanwhile, horizontal drilling rigs lost 1 unit to 1,098.

In Canada, the rig count added 16 to reach a total of 404 rigs working. Rigs targeting oil comprised 14 of those gained, bringing that total to 249. Rigs targeting gas comprised the remaining 2 rigs gained, bringing that total to 155. Canada has 34 more rigs working this week vs. the comparable week a year ago.

Major states, basins

Subtle changes in the major oil and gas-producing states were fostered by a 2-unit increase in California to 42 rigs working, and 1-unit additions in Louisiana to 108, Pennsylvania to 58, Alaska to 12, and Arkansas to 12. Unchanged from a week ago were North Dakota at 171, New Mexico at 75, Colorado at 73, Wyoming at 49, Utah at 29, and Kansas at 23. Oklahoma and West Virginia each edged down 1 unit to respective totals of 175 and 30. For the third consecutive week, Texas reported the largest loss, dropping 5 units to 812.

Noteworthy changes this week in the major US basins included 4-unit decreases in the Permian and Granite Wash to respective counts of 444 and 57 rigs working. The Cana Woodford has 3 fewer units than a week ago, totaling 29 this week.