The US drilling rig count increased 10 units to reach 320 rigs working for the week ended Nov. 25, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 482 units from the 802 rigs working this time a year ago.
The rig count was released 2 days early due to the US holiday on Nov. 26.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 10 units week-over-week with a total of 306 units. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters remained unchanged at 2. The number of rigs drilling offshore remained unchanged at 12.
US oil-directed rigs increased by 10 from last week to reach 241 units. This time a year ago, 668 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas increased by a single unit to reach 77 rigs, 54 fewer than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, Texas, New Mexico, and California saw the largest increases. A 3-rig increase in each state brought the rig count in Texas to 147, New Mexico to 58, and California to 7 for the week.
Louisiana and Colorado each gained a rig to reach 39 and 5 rigs running, respectively.
Eight states remained unchanged this week, Pennsylvania, 20; Oklahoma, 13; North Dakota, 11; West Virginia, 7; Ohio, 4; Alaska, 3; Utah, 3; and Wyoming, 2.
Canada’s rig count increased by a single unit for the week. At 102 rigs, the count is 24 fewer than the 126 units drilling this week a year ago. At 38 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count is down 4 for the week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada is up 5 units to 64.
