BHI: US drilling rig count holds steady at 1,931

The US drilling rig count was unchanged at 1,931 rigs working during the week ended Sept. 19, Baker Hughes Inc. reported.

A 4-unit rise in land rigs to 1,856 was offset by a 4-unit decline in offshore rigs to 62. Rigs drilling in inland waters were unchanged at 13.

Oil rigs were up 9 units to 1,601, which was nullified by a 9-unit drop in gas rigs to 329. The one rig considered unclassified remains unmoved from last week.

Directional drilling rigs fell 5 units to 212 while horizontal drilling rigs edged down a unit to 1,341.

Canada’s rigs count lost 28 units during the week, settling at a total of 377, down 11 units compared with this week a year ago. Oil rigs comprised a majority of the loss, falling 20 units to 202. Gas rigs dropped 8 units to 175.

Major states, basins

Activity in the major oil- and-gas producing states was headlined by movement in North Dakota and Texas, two states that have experienced record production over recent months (OGJ Online, Sept. 19, 2014). North Dakota led all states with a 4-unit increase to 189 rigs working. Oklahoma gained 2 units to 215. Adding 1 unit each, New Mexico, Colorado, and California now have respective totals of 99, 76, and 46.

Unchanged from a week ago were Pennsylvania at 58, Wyoming at 57, Ohio at 42, Kansas at 25, Utah at 23, Arkansas at 12, and Alaska at 10.

Louisiana fell 2 units to 113. West Virginia dropped 3 units to 26. Texas reported the largest loss, giving up 5 units to settle at an even 900.

Reflecting the movement in North Dakota and Texas, the Williston gained 4 units to 198 while the Permian dropped 6 units to 560.