Led by a strong surge in oil-directed rigs, especially in Texas, the US drilling rig count climbed 17 units to reach 481 units working during the week ended Aug. 12, according to Baker Hughes Inc. data. Overall, however, the total US rig count is down 403 from this week a year ago.
The number of land rigs reached 461, up 18 units from a week ago. Offshore rigs remained unchanged at 17 units. Rigs drilling in inland waters lost a single unit to reach 3.
Oil rigs gained 15 units to reach 396, while rigs targeting gas increased 2 units to 83. Rigs considered unclassified were unchanged from last week at 2 units working.
Horizontal drilling rigs gained 13 units to 375. Directional drilling rigs were unchanged at 44 units.
Canada showed a 4-unit rebound this week, reaching 126 units rigs drilling. Oil rigs comprised most of the gain, up 5 units to 65. Gas rigs, meanwhile, remained unchanged at 60 units. Overall, Canada is down 85 units compared with this week a year ago.
Texas led the major producing states, reporting a 13-unit gain to reach 230 rigs working. Five states gained 1 rig each this week. These were New Mexico, 31; North Dakota, 29; Colorado, 21; Ohio, 14; and Utah, 3.
Six states remained the same this week with no change in their respective rig counts, namely Oklahoma, 61; Louisiana, 42; Pennsylvania, 15; Wyoming, 8; West Virginia, 7; and Alaska, 4.
California was the only state showing a loss, down 1 rig to 5 units working.
Reflecting the rise in Texas, the Permian gained 12 units to 189 rigs working.
