The US drilling rig count increased 5 units to reach 287 rigs working for the week ended Oct. 23, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 543 units from the 830 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 6 week-over-week with a total of 273 units. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters was unchanged at 1 unit for the week. The number of rigs drilling offshore decreased by one to 13.
US oil-directed rigs increased by 6 from last week to reach 211 units. This time a year ago, 696 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas decreased by one unit to reach 73 rigs, 60 fewer than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, Texas again saw the largest increase. With a 2-rig increase, the state saw 125 rigs running for the week. Oklahoma and Alaska each gained a single unit to reach 15 and 3 rigs running, respectively.
Nine states remained unchanged this week, New Mexico, 45; Pennsylvania, 18; North Dakota, 11; West Virginia, 8; Ohio, 6; California, 4; Colorado, 4; Utah, 3; and Wyoming, 3.
Louisiana is down a single rig for the week to reach 37.
Canada’s rig count increased by 3 units for the week. At 83 rigs, the count is 64 fewer than the 147 units drilling this week a year ago. At 42 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count is up 2 units for the week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada is up 1 unit to 41.
