US drilling has first gain in 11 weeks

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 19 -- US drilling activity increased for the first time in 11 weeks, up by 23 rotary rigs to 899 drilling—the same number as 3 weeks ago but down from 1,906 during the same period a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.

All of the gain was in land drilling, up by 24 rigs to 847 working. Inland waters activity was unchanged at 6 rigs. Offshore drilling declined by 1 rig, however, to 46 in US coastal waters, including 45 in the Gulf of Mexico.

Among the rigs still working, those drilling for oil increased by 13 to 196, and those drilling for gas were up 7 to 692. There were 11 rigs unclassified. Horizontal and directional drilling were down 10 rigs each to 391 and 174, respectively.

Texas had the biggest increase among major producing states, up 10 rotary rigs to 330 drilling. Louisiana increased by 4 to 137. Colorado and California were up 3 each to respective counts of 44 and 24. Oklahoma and New Mexico gained 1 rig each to 77 and 37. Four states were unchanged, including Arkansas, 44; North Dakota, 36; Wyoming, 31; and Alaska, 4.

In other states of interest, Pennsylvania increased by 3 to 40 rotary rigs working. Utah was up 1 to 15. West Virginia dropped 2 rigs, with 20 still making hole.

Canada’s weekly rig count climbed by 35 to 143, down from 259 drilling in the same period last year.