The US drilling rig count increased by 6 units to reach 569 rigs working for the week ended Nov. 24, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is up 249 units from the 320 rigs working this time a year ago.
The count was released 2 days early due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday in the US.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 6 units week-over-week with a total of 552. The number of rigs drilling offshore was unchanged at 15. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters was unchanged at 2.
US oil-directed rigs were up 6 to 467 units. This time a year ago, 241 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas were unchanged at 102 rigs working, 25 more than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, three saw increases. The rig count in North Dakota increased by 4 to reach 27, while the count in Texas increased by 2 to 273. Pennsylvania gained a single rig to reach 19 units drilling for the week.
Ten states remained unchanged this week, namely New Mexico, 83; Louisiana, 49; Oklahoma, 44; Wyoming, 15; Colorado, 12; West Virginia, 11; California, 10; Ohio, 10; Utah, 9; and Alaska, 6
Canada’s rig count increased by 4 units to 171 rigs drilling for the week. The count is 69 more than the 102 units drilling this week a year ago. At 106 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count increased by 4 units from last week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada was unchanged at 65 rigs running for the week.