US drilling activity declines

Dec. 15, 2006
US drilling activity slumped this week with 1,716 rotary rigs working, 8 fewer than the previous week but up from 1,463 rigs during the same period a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 15 -- US drilling activity slumped this week with 1,716 rotary rigs working, 8 fewer than the previous week but up from 1,463 rigs during the same period a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.

Offshore operations accounted for half of the week's loss, down by 4 rigs to 81 drilling in US waters, including 78 in the Gulf of Mexico. Inland water drilling declined by 3 rigs with 25 still working. Land operations dipped by 1 rig with 1,610 still making hole.

Louisiana registered the largest loss among the major producing states, down by 7 rotary rigs to 187 working. Texas and New Mexico dropped 3 rigs each to 781 and 91, respectively. Oklahoma's weekly count declined by 2 units to 177. Colorado and California lost 1 rig each to respective totals of 90 and 33.

The biggest gain was in Alaska, up by 3 rigs to 9 working. Wyoming's weekly rig count increased by 1 to 87.

Canada's rig count jumped by 34 to 497 drilling, down from 649 during the same period last year.