By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 24 -- US drilling activity increased to 1,816 rotary rigs working this week, up 21 units from the 1,795 units working the previous week. That compared with 1,756 rigs working in the US and its waters at the same time a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.
The largest change was seen in land operations with 1,722 rotary rigs working this week, up 25 units from the week before. Offshore drilling fell by 2 units to 71, including 69 rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Drilling in inland waters also fell by 2 rigs to 23 still working.
Texas gained the largest number of rigs this week, up 14 units to 851 working. Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado all showed increases this week, up by 5 units, 4 units, 3 units, and 1 unit to active totals of 73, 194, 89, and 118, all respectively.
Alaska remained unchanged with 4 units active, and California lost 1 rig to 37 active units.
Canada's weekly rig fell by 2 rigs to 319 still drilling. That compared with 489 active rigs a year ago.
