By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 -- US drilling increased to a new high for this year, up by 34 rotary rigs to 1,762 working, said officials at Baker Hughes Inc.
The US rig count has exceeded 1,700 units for 4 consecutive weeks, a level of drilling activity unsurpassed since Jan. 17, 1986. That compares with 1,433 rotary rigs working during this period in 2005.
Land activity accounted for most of the latest increase, up by 28 rigs to 1,639 drilling. Inland waters activity increased by 6 rigs to 24. Offshore drilling was unchanged at 99 units, including 94 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas had the biggest gain this week, up by 23 rigs to 809 making hole. Louisiana jumped by 16 to 197. Wyoming, Colorado, and California each added 1 rig for respective counts of 108, 93, and 35. Oklahoma was unchanged with 195 rigs drilling. New Mexico's weekly rig count dropped by 8 units to 91. Alaska lost 4, with 4 still working.
Canada's rig count slipped by 9 to 471, compared with 535 rotary rigs working at this time last year.
