By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 27 -- US drilling activity increased slightly this week to the highest level in 3 years, up by 9 units to 1,239 rotary rigs working, Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday.
That's the highest rig count since early September 2001 when 1,252 rigs were drilling. Last year's rig count at this time was 1,102. Land operations accounted for this week's increase, up by 12 rigs to 1,127 working. Inland waters declined by 1 to 19. Offshore operations were down by 2 rigs to 93 for the US as a whole, including a decline of 3 rigs to 88 working in the Gulf of Mexico.
Canada's rig count plummeted by 112 to 279 this week, down from 407 a year ago.
