By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 30 -- US drilling activity continued its slow growth with 1,749 rotary rigs working this week, 4 more than the previous week and up from 1,576 in the same period a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.
Land operations accounted for the increase, up 6 rigs to 1,650 drilling. Offshore drilling dipped by 1 rig to 73 working in US waters as a whole, including 72 in the Gulf of Mexico. Inland waters operations were down by 1 rig to 26 drilling.
Among the major producing states, Texas registered the biggest growth this week, up 6 rigs to 824 making hole. Wyoming's rig count increased by 5 to 79. Colorado increased by 2 to 103. California was up 1 to 32. And Alaska was unchanged with 12 rigs working.
The increase was partially offset by the loss of 6 rigs in Louisiana, with 185 still drilling. Oklahoma and Mexico were down 1 rig each to 177 and 71, respectively.
Canada's weekly rig count plunged by 97 rotary rigs to 149 working, down from 425 a year ago.
