The US drilling rig count is up 9 units, reaching 714 rigs working for the week ended May 13, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is up 261 units from the 453 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land increased by 7 units week-over-week to a total of 695 units. The only rig drilling in inland waters was added this week. Rigs drilling offshore increased by a single rig to 18.
US oil-directed rigs increased by 6 from last week to reach 563 units. This time a year ago, 352 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas increased by 3 units to 149, 49 more than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Among the major oil and gas-producing states, Oklahoma gained the largest number of rigs. At 57 rigs running, the count is 4 more than the previous week.
Five states increased respective rig counts by a single rig, namely Texas, 345; Louisiana, 63; North Dakota, 36; Colorado, 16; Wyoming, 16; and Utah, 13.
One state, Kansas, saw a rig count decrease. With one fewer rig, the state has no rigs running for the week.
Canada’s rig count decreased by 3 units for the week. At 88 rigs, the count is 29 more than the 59 units drilling this week a year ago. With 37 rigs drilling, Canada’s oil-directed rig count decreased by 5 units. Gas-directed rigs in Canada increased by 2 units to reach 51.