The Baker Hughes Inc. worldwide tally of active rigs was again bolstered in September by the drilling rebound in the US and Canada.
The global rig count last month averaged 1,584, up 37 from the August total and down 587 from the September 2015 total.
In the US, the September count gained 28 units month-over-month to average 509, a year-over-year decline of 339. Canada’s tally of active units rose 12 to 141, down 42 year-over-year.
The Middle East recorded a monthly increase of 7 units to bring its count to 386, down 10 year-over-year. Qatar led the way with a 4-unit monthly rise to 9, up 3 year-over-year; while Iraq gained 2 units to 40, down 9 year-over-year.
Saudi Arabia remained even with its August total at 124, down only 1 unit compared with its September 2015 count. The kingdom during August produced near-record levels at 10.6 million b/d of oil, down slightly from the previous month, according to data from the International Energy Agency.
Latin America added 2 units in September compared with its August level to total 198, down 132 year-over-year. Argentina gained 5 units month-over-month to 70, down 40 year-over-year; and Ecuador rose 2 units to 6, down 5 year-over-year. Venezuela decreased 2 units to 51, down 24 year-over-year; and Colombia dropped 2 units to 6, down 20 year-over-year.
Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa each lost 4 units compared with their August levels to 190, 92, and 77, respectively.
Asia-Pacific’s September count was down 28 units compared with its September 2015 total. Offshore China increased 3 units month-over-month to 29, up 1 year-over-year. Thailand dropped 2 units to 11, down 7 year-over-year; and Australia also dropped 2 units, settling at 4, a yearly decline of 12.
Europe’s tally of 92 in September represented a 17-unit decline from its year-ago total. Turkey’s monthly count fell 2 units to 29, up 1 year-over-year; and Germany also dropped 2 units, settling at 1, even with its year-ago count.
Africa during September recorded a 19-unit decrease from its September 2015 count. Algeria posted the largest monthly loss at 3 units. Its average of 53 rigs working was still up 2 units year-over-year.
Contact Matt Zborowski at [email protected].
