By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 9 -- US drilling activity continued its slow growth with 1,661 rotary rigs working this week, 4 more than the previous week and up from 1,339 during the same period last year, said Baker Hughes Inc.
The bulk of the increase was in land operations, up by 9 rigs to 1,539 working. Activity in inland waters gained 1 rig to 25 drilling. Offshore drilling declined by 6 rigs to 97 in US waters, including the decrease of 4 to 92 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas accounted for most of the increase, up by 7 rigs to 749 working. Wyoming increased by 4 rigs to 100, while Louisiana had gain of 1 rig to 199. Oklahoma and Alaska were unchanged this week, with respective rig counts of 182 and 9. California's rig count dropped by 5 to 29, while New Mexico lost 4 to 95. Colorado was down 2 rigs to 90.
Canada's weekly rig count jumped by 150 to 443 this week, up from 319 a year ago.
