Oil and gas drilling was on the increase across the nation in the past week while activity remained significant in Oklahoma’s oil patch, according to the latest Baker Hughes Rig Count.
The U.S. rig count increased by 3 to reach 547 oil and gas rigs. The oil rig total increased by one to 408 while there was a gain of one gas rigs for a total of 130. The miscellaneous rig total also grew one to 9.
Oklahoma’s count was unchanged from the prior week with a total of 43 rigs. The total is still below last year’s total at this time when it was 55 rigs.
Other states
Texas gained 4 rigs to reach 238 while New Mexico’s drilling activity declined three to 95 rigs. The count in North Dakota was unchanged at 26 rigs. Louisiana’s total increased 2 to 44 rigs.
Kansas was unchanged at 19, according to the Red Top Rig report published by the Independent Oil and Gas Service in the state. Colorado remained at 11 active rigs. Alaska picked up one rig to reach 12 while California continued with 7 rigs.
Ohio stayed at 11 and Pennsylvania was unchanged with 18 active rigs. West Virginia’s count of 8 was the same as a week earlier. Wyoming’s count of 17 last week fell one to 16 this week. Utah remained at 13 active rigs.
US total
The U.S. total count of 547 is 37 less than a year ago when the nation had 584 active oil and gas rigs. The decline included a drop of 64 oil rigs but a gain of 22 gas drilling rigs. There was also a gain of 5 miscellaneous rigs.
The nation’s offshore rig count is up to 19 with a gain of 5 over the past year.