US drilling rig count off slightly to 1,762

Jan. 4, 2013
The US drilling rig count fell by 1 unit during the week ended Jan. 4, with the total number of rotary rigs reaching 1,762, as reported by Baker Hughes Inc. This compares with 2,007 rigs working in the comparable week last year.

The US drilling rig count fell by 1 unit during the week ended Jan. 4, with the total number of rotary rigs reaching 1,762, as reported by Baker Hughes Inc. This compares with 2,007 rigs working in the comparable week last year.

Land-based drilling rigs fell by 1 unit to 1,691, while offshore rigs remained unchanged at 51. Rigs drilling in inland waters also were unchanged at 20 units. Of those rigs drilling offshore, 48 were in the Gulf of Mexico, the same amount as a week ago.

Rigs targeting natural gas gained 8 units, reaching 439. Rigs drilling for oil fell 9 to 1,318. There were 5 rigs unclassified, unchanged from a week ago.

Rigs drilling directionally were reported at 170, down 5 rigs from a week ago and 46 fewer than the comparable week last year. The number of rigs drilling horizontally was up 1 to 1,112. This compares with 1,160 rigs working in the comparable week a year ago.

Of the major oil and gas producing states, Oklahoma and Colorado were down 2 rigs each to respective counts of 181 and 55. North Dakota, Louisiana, and Wyoming were down 1 rig apiece to 173, 102, and 48, respectively. Six states were unchanged this week: New Mexico, 81; California, 30; Ohio, 30; West Virginia, 26; Arkansas, 15; and Alaska, 9. States with gains this week included Pennsylvania, up 3 rigs to 73, and Texas, up 4 to 826.

Canada’s rig count was 258, up 54 units from a week ago. This count includes 149 rigs drilling for oil and 109 units drilling for gas. The total was down 103 units from the comparable week last year.