By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 10 -- US drilling activity dropped significantly the week ended Nov. 10, down by 46 units, with 1,693 rotary rigs working, said Baker Hughes Inc.
That compares with 1,479 active rigs at the same period a year ago.
"The decrease reflects the impact of weather delays in North Texas and Oklahoma, as well as refinements in the methodology used to compile the rig count to ensure consistency in the compilation of the rig count," Baker Hughes said in a statement.
"These refinements effectively reduced this week's land rig count by approximately 15-20 rigs. There are no changes to the definition of an active rig. Historical data will not be revised," the company added.
Most of the loss was in land operations, down by 41 rigs to 1,586 still drilling. Rigs drilling in inland waters slipped by 1 to 21, and offshore operations declined by 4 to 86 active rigs, including 82 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Oklahoma reported the biggest decline, down 14 rigs to 176 working. Texas and Louisiana each experienced a drop of 12 rigs to 780 and 186 respectively.
New Mexico's rig count declined by 7 to 83, and Wyoming's rig count declined by 4 rotary rigs to 92. Colorado's rig count declined by 3 to 90.
California was the only state to report an increase, gaining 4 rigs to 37. Alaska remained unchanged at 6.
Canada, meanwhile, jumped by 70 to 446 rigs drilling. That rig count remains lower than the 569 rigs reported during the same period last year.
