North American weekly rig count rises

North American drilling activity posted an increase for the week ended July 18, with 544 rotary rigs working in the US and another 172 in Canada, Baker Hughes officials reported Friday.

Oil drove the gain in Canada, with 120 rigs drilling for oil this week, 8 more than the previous week. Two additional rigs were gas-directed this week for a total of 52 working. Canada’s total rig count is up 10 rigs from last week but down 25 from this time in 2024.

The rig count for the US is up 7 from the previous week but down 42 from a year ago. The number of rigs drilling on land increased by 7 units to end the week at 529 rigs working. There were 2 rigs drilling in inland waters, unchanged from last week. Thirteen rigs were drilling offshore, unchanged from last week.

In the US, 9 additional gas-directed rigs help offset the 2-rig loss in oil-directed rigs this week. There were 117 units drilling for gas this week and 422 rigs drilling for oil.

New Mexico gained 4 rigs to end the week with 94 units working. Louisiana added 2 rigs to close the week with 33. Utah and Colorado each added a single unit to end the week with respective counts of 10 and 9.

Texas dropped 2 units, leaving the state with 253 rigs working this week.