The US drilling rig count increased 15 units to reach 338 rigs working for the week ended Dec. 11, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is down 461 units from the 799 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 15 units week-over-week with a total of 323 units. The number of rigs drilling in inland waters remained unchanged at 2. The number of rigs drilling offshore remained unchanged at 13.
US oil-directed rigs increased by 12 from last week to reach 258 units. This time a year ago, 667 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas increased by 4 units to reach 79 rigs, 50 fewer than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, Texas, saw the largest increase. A 6-rig increase brought the rig count to 155 for the week.
Wyoming’s rig count increased by 4 to reach 5 rigs drilling for the week. Pennsylvania gained 2 rigs for a total of 19 rigs drilling. New Mexico, Oklahoma, 14, and Ohio each gained a single rig to reach 60, 14, and 5 rigs drilling for the week.
Eight states remained unchanged this week, Louisiana, 40; West Virginia, 9; Colorado, 7; California, 6; North Dakota, 11; Alaska, 3; Utah, 3; and Kansas, 0.
Canada’s rig count increased 9 units to 111 rigs drilling for the week. The count is 42 fewer than the 153 units drilling this week a year ago. At 52 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count is up 12 for the week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada is down 3 units to 59.