The number of oil and gas drilling rigs in the U.S. continues to be anemic with an increase of one to 255 in the past week while in Oklahoma, the count was unchanged at 12 active rigs.
Figures provided by the Baker Hughes Co. showed the national count included a decline of one oil rig, leaving 179 oil rigs drilling in the U.S. The number of gas rigs increased by two to 73.
Still, the national count of oil and gas rigs is down 613 from the 868 rigs reported one year ago. The decline includes 540 oil rigs and 75 gas rigs.
The number of offshore rigs declined by one in the past week to 14 and the total number is down 11 from one year ago.
Of the national count, 215 are horizontal wells while 17 are vertical and 23 are directional.
Oklahoma had 66 rigs drilling a year ago as it is very evident that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact virtually every state that has any oil and gas activity.
Texas saw an increase of one to 106 rigs, but is still far below the 423 rigs reported a year ago. North Dakota stayed at 9 rigs while in New Mexico, the count dropped by three to 43 rigs.
Colorado was unchanged at 5 and Louisiana added one to 38. The Red Top Rig Report in Kansas reported a decline of one, leaving 10 rigs active.
Wyoming still has only one active rig, per the Baker Hughes report.
The latest figures indicate many rigs remain in storage while drillers hope for increased oil prices. Drilling permits released in the past week in Oklahoma showed a slight increase in interest.
The Granite Wash play in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle continued with only one rig while the Mississippian in Oklahoma and southern Kansas is without an active rig, based on Baker Hughes numbers.
The Permian Basin count declined by one to 123 compared to 417 a year earlier. The D-J Basin in Colorado was unchanged at 5 while the Eagle Ford in South Texas stayed at 9 active rigs.
The Ardmore Woodford in Oklahoma had no active rigs while the Arkoma Woodford had one. The Utica stayed at 5 while the Williston in North Dakota and Montana gained one to reach 10 rigs. The Haynesville added one to hit 36 while the Marcellus grew by one to 25.