US rig count highest in 21 years

April 20, 2007
US drilling increased by 11 units to 1,769 rotary rigs working this week—the highest total since mid-January 1986, said Baker Hughes Inc.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Apr. 20 -- US drilling increased by 11 units to 1,769 rotary rigs working this week—the highest total since mid-January 1986, said Baker Hughes Inc.

The total is up from the previous 20-year high of 1,762 rigs working in the week ended Aug. 25, 2006, and exceeds the rig count of 1,591 at this time a year ago.

Land operations accounted for the bulk of this week's gain, up by 8 to 1,662 rotary rigs drilling. Inland-water activity increased by 3 units to 31. Offshore operations were unchanged with 76 rotary rigs working in US waters, including 75 in the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas posted the biggest gain among the major producing states, up by 8 rigs to 836 making hole. Colorado followed closely with a gain of 7 rigs to 114 active. California increased by 3 rigs to 35, and Wyoming was up 1 to 71. Rig counts in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico were unchanged at 189, 178, and 76, respectively. Alaska registered the only decline among the big producing states, down 3 rigs to 8 working.

Canada's rig count increased by 1 rig to 98, down from 176 in the same period last year.