By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 11 -- US drilling activity increased by 20 rotary rigs to 1,161 units working this week, compared with 1,790 during the comparable period in 2008, Baker Hughes Inc. reported.
Land drilling accounted for most of the gain, up 19 rigs to 1,108 in operation. Inland water activity was unchanged with 15 drilling. Offshore drilling increased by 1 rig to 37 in the Gulf of Mexico for a total of 38 in US waters.
Gas drilling increased by 9 rigs to 757. Drilling for oil increased by 10 units to 393. There were 11 rigs unclassified. Directional drilling gained 6 rigs to 191 working. Horizontal drilling increased 11 rigs to 558.
Texas’ rig count was up by 7 to 458 working. Oklahoma gained 6 to 93 active. Louisiana increased by 5 to 181. Pennsylvania and Alaska added 2 rigs each for respective totals of 63 and 9. New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, and California gained 1 rig each to 48, 41, 38, and 26, respectively. North Dakota and West Virginia were unchanged at 60 and 22. Arkansas was down 2 rigs to 38 drilling.
Canada’s weekly rig count dropped 10 to 354, compared with 390 rigs working a year ago.
Rendering from Cedar LNG.
US Government Accountability Office.
