Major jump in nation’s oil and gas rig numbers

 

While the latest Enverus rig count showed a nationwide increase of 15 oil and gas rigs, it also revealed two Oklahoma City-based companies were among the most active in the Appalachian Basin.

Appalachia also notched a four-rig increase to 58 during the last week. Most active in the basin were Chesapeake Energy, EQT Corp. and Tug Hill Operating with five rigs each. Ascent Resources came in fourth with four rigs. Five Appalachian operators were running three rigs apiece.

The U.S. rig count rose to a 2022 high of 855 during the week ended Aug. 18, up by 15 over the prior week’s high, according to Enverus Foundations data.

That count is up 1% in the last month and up 46% YOY. All numbers discussed are weekly peaks to avoid the sometimes wide variability of daily numbers.

The Permian rose to a 2022 high on Aug. 16 with 323 rigs active, up by eight from the prior week’s high. The most active operators were Pioneer Natural Resources (23 rigs), Mewbourne Oil (20), Occidental Petroleum (18), EOG Resources (18) and ConocoPhillips (15).

The Anadarko Basin was up by one rig at 75. The DJ Bawin slid by one to 19 rigs, and the Gulf Coast lost five to hit 118.