By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 15 -- After dropping during the previous 3 weeks, US drilling activity recovered somewhat, with 1,737 rotary rigs working—9 more than last week and up from 1,436 during the same period a year ago.
Land operations accounted for all of the increase, up by 10 rigs to 1,621 drilling. Inland water activity slipped by 1 rig to 21 working. Offshore drilling was unchanged, with 95 rigs working in US waters, including 91 in the Gulf of Mexico.
New Mexico registered the biggest gain among the major producing states, up by 11 rigs to 96 drilling. Wyoming gained 5 to 109, while Oklahoma increased by 4 to 193. Colorado added 1 rig, with a total of 94 working. That was partially offset by a drop of 10 rigs in Texas, with 780 still making hole. California was down by 2 to 29. Louisiana and Alaska lost 1 rig each, with respective counts of 202 and 5.
Canada's weekly count increased by 11 to 502, up from 443 during the same period a year ago.
