By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Feb. 16�Drilling activity in the US and its waters bounced upward over the last week, more than making up for the slight fall last week. A total of 1,147 rigs were working, up 10 from last week, Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday.
A year ago, the total was 773.
On land, 964 rigs were working in the US this week, up 15 from the previous week and up 325 from a year ago. Twenty rigs were working in inland waters, down two from a week ago and up six from a year ago. There were 163 rigs working offshore the US, down three from a year ago and up 43 from a year ago.
Rigs drilling for gas were 905, up two from a week ago and up 285 from a year ago.
In Oklahoma, the drilling count rose to 134, up seven from a week ago. In Louisiana and Texas the count rose: Louisiana's total was 222, down two from last week, and Texas' total was 453, up four. In Alaska, California, and New Mexico, the count fell slightly. Alaska's count was down one for the week to 12; California's was down two, at 28; and New Mexico's count was down one at 73.
In Canada, 550 rigs were working, down 15 from last week and up 13 from a year ago.
Offshore rig utilization in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico increased this week to 87.1%, said Offshore Data Services Inc., Houston.
Of 210 rigs in the region, 183 have contracts, a one rig increase in contracted rigs since last week.
Mobile offshore drilling rig demand in European waters reached a 26-month high this week when one more rig came under contract, making the total number of rigs under contract 93�a 92.1% utilization rate.
Worldwide offshore rig utilization fell slightly with a one-rig decrease in contracted rigs. With 562 rigs under contract, worldwide offshore rig utilization is 86.6%, said ODS.