By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 31 -- Canada's rotary rig count plummeted by about one-third the week ended Mar. 31, dropping by 214 rigs, reported Baker Hughes Inc., Houston.
As spring thaw continued, the number of rigs drilling fell to 425 from 639 the previous week. The count, nonetheless, is up from 230 working in the same period last year.
US drilling activity continued to increase, with a total of 5 rigs added. There were 1,576 rotary rigs working, up from 1,329 the same time last year.
The Gulf of Mexico gained 4 rigs working and inland waters, 1.
Land operations remained constant with 1,463 total rigs drilling. Louisiana gained 5 rigs to 182; Wyoming gained 4 to 103; and Oklahoma gained 3 to 168. Texas activity slowed by 2 rigs to 714 units total, and Alaska retired 2 rigs, dropping to 7 working. California and Colorado were down 1 unit each, to 36 and 83 units respectively. New Mexico was unchanged at 98.
