US rig count slumps by 10 units

March 14, 2008
US drilling dipped by 10 rotary rigs to 1,792 drilling this week, up from 1,740 during the same period a year ago.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 14 -- US drilling dipped by 10 rotary rigs to 1,792 drilling this week, up from 1,740 during the same period a year ago.

There were losses in every category. Land drilling was down 7 units to 1,712 drilling. Inland waters activity decreased by 2 rigs to 20. Offshore drilling declined by 1 unit to 59 in the Gulf of Mexico and a total of 60 in all US offshore waters.

Louisiana registered the largest loss among major producing states, down 12 to 143, more than wiping out the previous week's gain of 11. Wyoming lost 5 to 66. There were 881 rigs drilling in Texas, 3 less than the previous week. California was down 1 to 34.

On the other hand, rig counts in Colorado and New Mexico increased by 3 units each to 118 and 74, respectively. Oklahoma gained 2 to 203. Alaska increased by 1 rig to 10 working.

The seasonal downturn apparently has started in Canada, which dropped 113 rigs with 510 still working. That compares with 409 rigs active in the same period a year ago.