The US drilling rig count increased 8 units to reach 346 rigs working for the week ended Dec. 18, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 467 units from the 813 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 5 units week-over-week with a total of 328. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters remained unchanged at 2. The number of rigs drilling offshore was up 3 to 16.
US oil-directed rigs increased by 5 from last week to reach 263 units. This time a year ago, 685 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas increased by 2 units to reach 81 rigs, 44 fewer than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, New Mexico saw the largest increase. A 6-rig increase brought the rig count to 66 for the week. The rig count in Texas increased by 3 to reach 158 rigs running for the week.
Wyoming’s rig count decreased by 1 to reach 4 rigs drilling for the week.
Ten states remained unchanged this week, Louisiana, 40; Pennsylvania, 19; Oklahoma 14; North Dakota, 11; West Virginia, 9; Colorado, 7; California, 6; Ohio, 5; Alaska, 3; and Utah, 3.
Canada’s rig count decreased 9 units to 102 rigs drilling for the week. The count is 47 fewer than the 149 units drilling this week a year ago. At 41 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count is down 11 units for the week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada is up 2 units to 61.
