US, Canada rig activity reaches new high

July 28, 2006
US drilling activity continued to soar the week ended July 28, with a new record of 1,714 rotary rigs working for the year—an increase of 31 from the previous week, reports Baker Hughes Inc., Houston.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, July 28 -- US drilling activity continued to soar the week ended July 28, with a new record of 1,714 rotary rigs working for the year—an increase of 31 from the previous week, reports Baker Hughes Inc., Houston. The figure represents 302 more rigs than were working at the same time in 2005.

Land operations dominated the upsurge, with 27 more units drilling than last week. Texas gained 12 for a total of 777 rigs working—149 more than last year—and Colorado added 5. Oklahoma gained 2 to 191 working, and Wyoming added 2 to 104. California and Alaska gained 1 unit each. Among states idling rigs, New Mexico dropped by 4 to 89, and Louisiana lost 1 for a total of 187 working.

Offshore waters gained 3 units for a total of 96 working, and inland waters added 1, increasing to 20 rigs making hole.

Canada also boosted its rig numbers, with 14 additional units drilling this week for a total of 547, up from 521 last year.

The total rigs working in the US and Canada is 2,261, up from 1,933 last year.