The US drilling rig count increased 9 units to reach 296 rigs working for the week ended Oct. 30, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 526 units from the 822 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 9 week-over-week with a total of 282 units. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters was unchanged at 1 unit for the week. The number of rigs drilling offshore was unchanged at 13.
US oil-directed rigs increased by 10 from last week to reach 221 units. This time a year ago, 691 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas decreased by one unit to reach 72 rigs, 58 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. An 8-rig increase put the state's total number of rigs working at 133 for the week. With a 2-unit increase, New Mexico’s rig count hit 47 for the week.
Ten states remained unchanged this week, Louisiana, 47; Pennsylvania, 18; North Dakota, 11; West Virginia, 8; Ohio, 6; California, 4; Colorado, 4; Alaska, 3; Utah, 3; and Wyoming, 3.
Oklahoma is down a single rig for the week to reach 14.
Canada’s rig count increased by 3 units for the week. At 86 rigs, the count is 56 fewer than the 142 units drilling this week a year ago. At 40 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count is down 2 units for the week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada is up 5 units to 46.