There were 1,087 rotary rigs working in the US and its waters this week, 20 less than last week but up from 797 during the same period a year ago, officials of Baker Hughes Inc. reported Thursday.
The company usually posts its weekly rig count a day early just before Christmas and the rig count often shows a decrease during that period, with rig movements and spudding of wells delayed to give crews more holiday time at home.
Weather also may have been a factor in this week�s decline, since the number of land rotary rigs working was down 24 to a total 916.
Texas led the nation with 410 rotary rigs working this week, 10 less than last week. There were 214 rigs working in Louisiana, up one from last week. Oklahoma and Wyoming each gained two rigs for total counts of 134 and 53, respectively. New Mexico was down one to 67.
Canada had 456 rotary rigs working this week, the same number as last week. The latest count is up from 404 a year ago, however.
