Oklahoma rig count increased in past week as did national total

 

The last oil and gas rig numbers to be released in 2020 by Baker Hughes Co. showed Oklahoma’s count increased by one to 17 in the past week. The number compared to 51 oil and gas rigs reported a year ago.

The State’s increase came as national oil and gas rig figures grew by three to 351 while the number of rigs in Canada plunged by 23 to 59. The numbers reflect the dramatic effect that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the industry, resulting in tens of thousands of layoffs and the idling of hundreds of oil rigs that have been stacked in lots across the oil producing states.

The U.S. numbers for the current week showed an increase of three oil-drilling rigs to a total of 267. The number of gas rigs was unchanged at 83. The latest figures show the nation’s oil and rig numbers are down 445 from a year ago when there were 796 active rigs. The decline in rig activity shows a drop of 403 oil rigs and 40 gas rigs.

Texas leads the nation in drilling activity with 161 rigs, an increase of two in the past week but still below the 403 a year ago. New Mexico’s count was unchanged at 65 while Louisiana stayed at 43 active rigs.

Colorado continued with six and North Dakota stayed at 11 drilling rigs in the field. The Red Top Rig Report published by the Independent Oil and Gas Service of Wichita, Kansas showed numbers from last week when the state had 17 rigs, two down from the prior week.

Ohio was unchanged at 5 rigs. Pennsylvania stayed at 19. West Virginia continued with 8 rigs and Wyoming saw no change with four active drilling rigs.

Oklahoma’s Arkoma and Ardmore Woodfords continued with no drilling activity while the D-J Basin in Colorado was unchanged at 5 rigs.

The Permian Basin added two to reach 175.

The Eagle Ford of South Texas continued with 26 rigs. Oklahoma’s Granite Wash stayed at only one rig. The Mississippian in Oklahoma and Kansas, according to Baker Hughes had no new drilling activity.

The Haynesville was unchanged at 43 while the Marcellus stayed at 26. The Utica saw no change and remained at six rigs while the Williston stayed at 11 rigs.