The US drilling rig count increased by 5 units to reach 453 rigs working for the week ended May 14, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is up 114 units from the 339 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 3 units week-over-week with a total of 437. The number of rigs drilling offshore was up 2 to 15.
US oil-directed rigs were up 8 rigs from last week at 352 units. This time a year ago, 258 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas decreased 3 units to 100, 21 more than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, Louisiana saw the largest increase. A 3-rig increase brought the rig count to 55 for the week.
Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Alaska gained a single unit each to reach 21, 16, and 4 rigs running for the week.
Texas dropped a single rig to hit 216 for the week.
Eight states remained unchanged this week, namely New Mexico, 70; West Virginia, 11; Colorado, 10; Ohio, 10; Utah, 9; California, 6; Wyoming, 4; and Alaska, 3.
Canada’s rig count increased by 4 units to 59 rigs drilling for the week. The count is 36 more than the 23 units drilling this week a year ago. At 25 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count is up 3 units for the week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada is up 1 unit to 34.
