US rig count up slightly

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 7 -- US drilling activity increased slightly, up by 4 rotary rigs to 1,141 units compared with 1,852 during the comparable period in 2008, Baker Hughes Inc. reported.

Land drilling was unchanged with 1,089 rigs working. Inland water activity gained 2 rigs with 15 drilling. Offshore drilling increased by 3 rigs to 36 in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in a net gain of 2 to 37 in US waters.

Gas drilling was unchanged at 748 rigs. Drilling for oil increased by 4 units to 383. There were 10 rigs unclassified. Directional drilling decreased by 3 to 185 rigs. Horizontal drilling increased 8 rigs to 547.

Louisiana’s rig count was up by 7 to 176 in the week ended Dec. 4. Wyoming increased by 2 to 40 units drilling. Oklahoma, North Dakota, and California added 1 rig each for respective counts of 87, 61, and 25. New Mexico, Arkansas, and West Virginia were unchanged at 47, 40, and 22 respectively. Texas, Utah, and Alaska dropped 1 rig each for respective totals of 451, 17, and 7. Pennsylvania was down 3 rigs to 61. Colorado lost 4 to 37.

Canada’s weekly rig count jumped by 47 to 364, compared with 404 rigs working a year ago.