While President Biden was targeting the nation’s oil and gas industry through his growing executive orders, the industry saw an increase in rig counts, both in Oklahoma and the rest of the country.
Baker Hughes Co. reported Oklahoma’s count increased by one to reach 18 in the past week. A year ago, the state had 53 working oil and gas rigs.
Nationally, the numbers increased by six to 384. Oil rigs accounted for the six and now there are 295 active oil rigs in the country. Gas rigs were unchanged at 88.
But the nation’s total oil and gas rig count is still 406 fewer than the 790 active a year ago. The drop included 380 oil rigs and 24 gas rigs.
Canada saw an increase of two drilling rigs to reach 174 in the past week.
Oklahoma’s count of 18 compared with 182 in Texas where there was an increase of 7. Colorado’s count was unchanged at 8. Louisiana stayed at 47. New Mexico’s count slipped by three to 62.
The numbers in North Dakota increased by one to 12. Pennsylvania remained at 18. Wyoming’s count increased by one to five. The Red Top Rig Report published by the Independent Oil and Gas Service in Wichita indicated the Kansas rig count increased by five to reach 16 active rigs.
The Ardmore and Arkoma Woodfords, according to Baker Hughes still have no rig activity. The Granite Wash in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle have zero activity. The Mississippian in Oklahoma and Southern Kansas saw no activity based on Baker Hughes numbers.
The Eagle Ford of South Texas was unchanged at 28. The Haynesville stayed at 45. The Marcellus saw no change and continued with 30 active rigs. The Permian Basin increased by four to 192 working rigs.
The Utica stayed at five and the Williston grew by one to 12 working rigs.