The US drilling rig count increased by 9 units to reach 512 rigs working for the week ended Sept. 17, according to Baker Hughes data. The count is up 257 units from the 255 rigs working this time a year ago.
The number of rigs drilling on land was up 8 units week-over-week with a total of 505. The number of rigs drilling offshore was unchanged at 6. The only rig drilling in inland waters was added this week.
US oil-directed rigs were up 10 from last week at 411 units. This time a year ago, 179 units were drilling for oil. Rigs targeting gas decreased by 1 to 100, 27 more than were drilling for gas at this time a year ago.
Of the major oil and gas-producing states, Texas saw the largest increase. Four additional rigs brought the state’s rig count to 239 for the week.
Oklahoma added 3 rigs to reach 35. New Mexico gained 2 rigs to hit 84 rigs running for the week. Pennsylvania gained a single rig to reach 18.
Utah and West Virginia each dropped a rig, ending the week with 11 and 8 rigs working, respectively.
Seven states remained unchanged this week, namely Louisiana, 39; North Dakota, 22; Wyoming, 18; Ohio, 12; Colorado 11; California, 6; and Alaska, 5.
Canada’s rig count increased by 11 units to 154 rigs drilling for the week. The count is 90 more than the 64 units drilling this week a year ago. At 95 units, Canada’s oil-directed rig count increased by 8 rigs from last week. The gas-directed rig count in Canada increased by 3 rigs to 59 rigs running for the week.
