US drilling continues to decline

US drilling continued to decline, down by 12 rotary rigs to 1,531 active this week but up from 1,290 during the same period a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.

March 3, 2006

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Mar. 3 -- US drilling continued to decline, down by 12 rotary rigs to 1,531 active this week but up from 1,290 during the same period a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.

Land rigs led the loss, down by 14 units with 1,422 still working. Offshore drilling in US waters registered a net loss of 1 unit with 85 working, including the loss of 2 rigs to 82 in the Gulf of Mexico. The only gain was in inland waters, up by 3 rigs to 24 drilling.

Texas had the biggest loss, down by 6 rigs to 680 working. Oklahoma was next with a loss of 5 rigs to 169. Wyoming and Colorado were down by 2 rigs each to 95 and 81, respectively. New Mexico and Alaska were unchanged at 98 and 10 rigs, respectively. Louisiana's rig count increased by 4 to 186. California was up by 2 to 32.

Canada's rig count was down by 11 to 688 this week, but up from 593 at the same time last year.