US drilling activity continues to decline

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Dec. 21 -- US drilling continued to decline, down 15 rotary rigs to 1,809 working this week but up from 1.723 rigs drilling during the same period a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc.

Land operations accounted for the bulk of the loss, down 16 rigs to 1,718 making hole. Offshore drilling increased by 1 rig to 60 rigs in the Gulf of Mexico out of a total 62 rigs drilling US offshore leases. Inland waters activity was unchanged at 29 rigs.

Colorado had the biggest loss this week among the eight major producing states, dropping 9 rigs to 104 still working. New Mexico and Wyoming were down 5 rigs each to 72 and 65, respectively. California dropped 2 rigs to 37. Louisiana and Alaska each lost 1 rig, for respective counts of 159 and 9. Oklahoma was unchanged at 196.

Texas was the only producing state reporting a gain, up 9 rotary rigs to 894 drilling.

Canada's weekly rig count fell by 47 rigs to 372, compared with 450 working during the same period a year ago.