Offshore work pushes up US drilling

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 12 -- An increase in offshore drilling triggered a small boost in total US activity with 1,627 rigs working, Baker Hughes Inc. reported May 12.

Offshore operations increased by 4 rotary rigs to 94 in the Gulf of Mexico and 100 in US waters overall. Land drilling dipped by 2 rigs to 1,503. Inland waters operations were unchanged at 24.

New Mexico registered the biggest increase among top producing states, however, up by 6 rigs to 100 making hole. Colorado was next, with the addition of 3 units for a total of 88. Rig counts in Oklahoma, California, and Alaska increased by 1 each for totals of 178, 33, and 8, respectively. Wyoming was unchanged with 99 rotary rigs at work. Texas and Louisiana each lost 3 rigs, down to 740 and 191, respectively.

Canada's rig count increased by 32 to 199, down from 255 during the same period last year.