By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 15 -- US drilling activity rebounded, increasing 18 units with 1,773 rotary rigs working this week vs.1,746 during the same period in 2007, Baker Hughes Inc. reported.
Land operations accounted for the increase, up by 20 rigs to 1,697 drilling. Inland water activity declined by 1 rig to 21. Offshore drilling also was down by 1 rig to 55, including 54 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Oklahoma led the increase, up 5 rigs to 195 this week. Louisiana and Colorado increased by 4 rigs each to 144 and 118, respectively. Texas gained 3, with a total 875 rigs working. Alaska was up 2 to 9, and Wyoming added 1 unit for a total of 75. California's weekly rig count slipped by 1 to 33. New Mexico was down 2 to 67.
Canada's rig count surged by 34 to 632 units drilling vs. 636 active during the same period last year.
