The US drilling rig count increased 3 units to reach 323 rigs working for the week ended Dec. 4, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 476 units from the 799 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 2 units week-over-week with a total of 308 units. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters remained unchanged at 2. The number of rigs drilling offshore increased 1 to 13.
US oil-directed rigs increased by 5 from last week to reach 246 units. This time a year ago, 663 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas decreased by 2 units to reach 75 rigs, 58 fewer than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, Texas, West Virginia, and Colorado saw the largest increases. A 2-rig increase in each state brought the rig count in Texas to 149, West Virginia to 9, and Colorado to 7 for the week.
New Mexico and Louisiana each gained a rig to reach 59 and 40 rigs running, respectively.
Five states remained unchanged this week, Oklahoma, 13; North Dakota, 11; Ohio, 4; Alaska, 3; and Utah, 3.
Pennsylvania’s rig count dropped by 3 units to reach 17 for the week and California dropped a single rig this week for a total of 6 rigs running.
Canada’s rig count was unchanged at 102 rigs for the week. The count is 36 fewer than the 138 units drilling this week a year ago. At 40 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count is up 2 for the week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada is down 2 units to 62.