By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 17 -- US drilling increased this week, up by 14 units with 1,546 rotary rigs at work, up from 1,320 during this period last year, said Baker Hughes Inc.
Land operations were responsible for that increase, gaining 19 rigs to 1,438 at work. Offshore drilling declined with a net loss of 3 rotary rigs to 86 in US waters, including a loss of 4 rigs to 80 in the Gulf of Mexico. Inland waters drilling was down by 2 rigs to 22.
Texas had the largest gain, up by 8 rigs to 696. Colorado increased by 6 to 82. Wyoming and California each gained 5 for respective totals of 98 and 37. Alaska was unchanged at 10. Losses included Louisiana and Oklahoma, down 4 rigs each to 179 and 165, respectively. New Mexico lost 2 to 97.
Canada's rig count dropped by 32 to 658 this week, still up from 329 a year ago.
