Canadian rig count up 14, US count down 3

Canada's rig count increased by 14 rigs to 211 rotary rigs working this week. That compares with 193 rigs working at this time a year ago. Canada's rig count increase accounted for most of the 17-rig increase in all of North America to 800 rigs working, said Baker Hughes Inc.

US drilling activity increased slightly with a 3-unit increase this week to reach 589 rotary rigs working. There were 664 rigs working in the US and its waters this time last year.

Rigs drilling on US land increased by 4 to end the week at 568, while one rig was dropped offshore to leave 21 rigs working. There were no rigs drilling in inland waters, unchanged from last week. Two additional rigs were running in Oklahoma to reach 35 rigs for the week. North Dakota increased its rig count by a single unit to 35. Louisiana dropped a rig to hit 41 rigs working to end the week.