By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 30 -- US drilling activity jumped to 1,823 rotary rigs working this week, up 50 from the previous week to the largest number in 13 weeks, Baker Hughes Inc. reported Nov. 30. That compares with 1,717 rigs working in the same period last year.
Land operations accounted for the increase, up 52 rigs to 1,733 at work. Drilling in inland waters was unchanged with 27 rigs working. Offshore drilling slipped, however, down 2 rigs to 63 in federal waters, including the loss of 1 to 61 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas had the biggest increase among major producing states, up 13 to 872 rotary rigs working. Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming gained 4 rigs each to 203, 114, and 71, respectively. New Mexico and California were unchanged at 73 and 40 respectively. Louisiana dropped by 3 rigs to 162 rotary units working. Alaska was down 1 rig to 10.
Canada's rig count declined by 10 to 381 this week, down from 442 at this time a year ago.
