Oil-directed rig count in Canada carries overall North American rig count increase

The overall drilling rig count in North America is up 9 units to 809 for the week ended Jan. 17, with Canada’s double-digit oil-directed rig count increase leading the way, according to Baker Hughes Inc. data. 

The overall rig count in Canada rose 13 units to reach 229 rigs working for the week. The count is up 6 from this time a year ago. Of those 229 rigs working, 156 were drilling for oil, up 12 from last week. One additional rig was drilling for gas in Canada this week for a total of 73. The count is 10 fewer than this time last year. 

The US drilling rig count ended the week with 580 rigs working. The count is 4 fewer than this time last week and 40 fewer than this time last year. 

In the US, 564 rigs were drilling on land, 4 fewer than last week. Rig counts for US inland waters and offshore are unchanged this week at respective counts of 2 and 14. 

Of the major US oil and gas producing states, three saw rig counts decline. North Dakota’s rig count dropped by 4 units to end the week at 32 rigs running. Texas and Louisiana each dropped a single unit to end the week with 281 and 29 rigs working, respectively. 

Wyoming and California each gained a rig to end the week with respective counts of 19 and 7.