Baker Hughes: US rig count down 5 units to 253

The US drilling rig count fell 5 units, reaching 253 rigs working for the week ended July 17, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 701 units from the 954 rigs working this time a year ago.

The number of rigs drilling on land dropped 5 units week-over-week to a total of 241 units. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters was unchanged at 0 units for the week. The number of rigs drilling offshore was unchanged at 12.

US oil-directed rigs decreased by 1 from last week to reach 180 units. This time a year ago, 779 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas decreased by 4 units to reach 71 rigs, 103 fewer than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.

Among the major oil and gas-producing states, New Mexico and West Virginia each gained a rig this week, standing at 50 and 6 rigs running, respectively.

Texas dropped the largest number of rigs for the week. At 104 rigs running, the count is 3 fewer than the previous week. Ohio’s rig count fell by 2 to reach 6 rigs running. Louisiana and Pennsylvania each dropped a single rig to reach counts of 30 and 21, respectively.

Seven states remained unchanged this week, namely North Dakota, 10; Oklahoma, 10; Colorado, 5; California, 4; Alaska, 3; Wyoming, 1; and Utah, 0.

Canada’s rig count increased by 6 for the week. At 32 rigs, the count is 86 fewer than the 118 units drilling this week a year ago. With 6 rigs drilling, Canada’s oil-directed rigs remained unchanged for the week. Gas-directed rigs in Canada increased by 6 units to reach 26.