North American weekly rig count falls as Canadian oil drilling declines

North American drilling activity declined for the week ended Apr. 4 with 743 rotary rigs working in the US and Canada, Baker Hughes officials reported Friday.

Fewer oil-directed rigs working in Canada propelled the decrease. There were 153 rigs working in Canada this week, 10 fewer than last week. Of those, 99 were drilling for oil, 9 fewer than a week ago. Rigs drilling for gas totaled 54 for the week, unchanged from the prior week’s total. 

The US rig count is down 2 units from the previous week at 590, and down 30 units from this time last year. The number of rigs drilling on land decreased by 2 to end the week at 573. There were 3 rigs drilling in inland waters, unchanged from last week. The number of rigs running offshore also was unchanged. Fourteen rigs were working offshore, 6 fewer than the prior year period. 

Seven fewer rigs were drilling for gas in the US this week, bringing the weekly total to 96. There were 489 units drilling for oil this week, 5 more than last week, but down 19 from the prior-year period. 

Texas dropped 3 rigs to end the week at 277 working units. Pennsylvania added a rig to end the week with 15.