By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 9 -- US drilling activity continued to increase to the highest level in 9 weeks with 1,801 rotary rigs working this week, 6 more than the previous week, and up from 1,693 a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.
Most of the increase was in land operations, up 4 rigs to 1,714 drilling. Inland water activity gained 2 rigs to 30. Offshore drilling was unchanged with 57 rigs working, including 56 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas had the largest increase among the major producing states, up 6 rigs to 860. Oklahoma gained 5 to 198. Colorado and Alaska each added 2 for relative totals of 116 and 11. New Mexico was unchanged at 69 rotary rigs. Wyoming's weekly rig count dropped by 4 to 71. California was down 3 to 39, and Louisiana lost 2 to 165.
Canada's weekly rig count dropped by 7 to 361, down from 446 at this time last year.
