By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 26 -- US drilling fell the week ended Jan. 26, with 1,699 rotary rigs working, down by 46 from the previous week but up from 1,487 during the same period last year, said Baker Hughes Inc.
There were losses across the board, with land operations down by 35 rigs to 1,603 working. Inland water activity dropped by 10 rigs to 13 still active. Offshore drilling dipped by 1 rig to 81 in the Gulf of Mexico and 83 in US waters overall.
Recent cold and rainy weather in the Southwestern US apparently disrupted drilling activity and rig movements. Louisiana's weekly rig count dropped by 16 to 174 rotary rigs working. Texas was down by 12 to 796. New Mexico lost 4 to 85. Oklahoma was down 3 rigs to 168. California dipped by 1 to 99, while Alaska was unchanged at 9. Colorado and Wyoming gained 1 rig each to 99 and 83, respectively.
Canada's rig count jumped by 58 to 664 rigs in a seasonal gain. That is still down from 698 in the same period last year.
