The US drilling rig count dropped 34 units to reach 374 rigs working for the week ended May 8, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 614 units from the 988 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land fell 33 units week-over-week to a total of 359 rigs running. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters remained unchanged at 0 units. The number of rigs drilling offshore dropped by one unit to 15.
US oil-directed rigs decreased by 33 from last week to 292 units. A year ago, 805 units were drilling for oil. Gas-directed rigs fell by one to 80 rigs, 103 fewer than were drilling for gas a year ago.
Among the major oil and gas-producing states, only New Mexico saw an increase in rigs week-over-week. The state saw an increase of 4 rigs to reach 70 running for the week.
Texas saw the largest drop in rigs. With 173 rigs running, the count is 28 fewer than last week. North Dakota dropped 6 rigs for the week to reach 20 rigs working. Oklahoma dropped 2 rigs week over week to reach 13 units. One rig was dropped in both Louisiana and Ohio, leaving 38 and 8 units for the week, respectively.
Seven states remained unchanged this week, namely Pennsylvania, 23; Colorado, 8; West Virginia, 7; California, 5; Wyoming, 4; Alaska, 3; and Utah, 0.
Canada’s rig count fell by one unit for the week. At 26 rigs, the count is 37 fewer than the 63 units drilling this week a year ago. A one-rig loss brought the gas-directed rig count to 19 for the week. Oil-directed rigs in Canada remained unchanged at 7 units.