Baker Hughes: North America Rig Count Down 64 on Week

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) – North American drilling activity experienced a net loss of 64 rigs this week, with all the drop occurring in Canada and adding to the prior week’s decline of 13, according to Baker Hughes’ weekly rig count report released on Friday (12/26).

Canada’s total rig count fell by 67 week-on-week to 118. The U.S. total rig count, meanwhile, rose by three to 545.

The combined change in Canadian and U.S. rig counts resulted in a net loss of 64 in North America, with the current week’s tally of 663 down from 727 the prior week. Year-on-year, North American rigs were down by 21 from the 684 noted for the same week of last year.

In North America, land-based drilling activity rose by two rigs to stand at 526 for the week. Offshore activity advanced by one rig to 16. Activity in inland waters was unchanged for a third straight week at three. The Gulf of Mexico rig count climbed by one to nine.

Year-on-year, U.S. rigs were lower by 44 from the prior count of 589 during the same week of last year.

U.S. oil-directed rigs rose by three to 409 for the week. Gas rigs were unchanged at 127. The count for miscellaneous U.S. rigs was also flat at 9.

In Canada, oil-directed rigs fell by 60 to 59. Gas rigs slid by seven to also stand at 59.