• Skip to main content

    Analysis

    US and Canadian Rig Counts for Early-April

    Written by Brett Linton


    According to Baker Hughes data from April 4th, 2014, the U.S rig count for this week is 1,818 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas. This count is an increase of 9 rigs when compared to last week, with oil rigs up 11 to 1,498 rigs, gas rigs down 2 to 316 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 4 rigs. Compared to last year the 1,818 count is an increase of 80 rigs, with oil rigs up by 141, gas rigs down by 59, and miscellaneous rigs down by 2.

    The Canadian rig count decreased by 63 to 235 rigs this week, following the seasonal trend associated with Canadian drill rigs. Oil rigs are down 45 to 110 rigs and gas rigs down 18 to 125 rigs. Compared to last year the 235 count is an increase of 29 rigs, with oil rigs down by 7 and gas rigs up by 36. International rigs increased by 16 to 1,341 rigs for the month of February, an increase of 66 rigs from the same month one year ago. For a history of both the US and Canadian rig count click here.

    Brett Linton

    Read more from Brett Linton

    Latest in Analysis

    Lead times extended deeper in 2027, some see no availability until late Feb

    Lead times for sheet and plate products continue to extend in a US steel market still in the grip of a historic supply squeeze, according to the latest SMU steel market survey data. Average lead times now extend into late January 2027, with some mills not quoting availability until mid/late February. Lead times for all sheet products except Galvalume stand at their highest point since the post-Covid demand snapback in 2021.

    SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available

    The results of the latest Steel Market Update (SMU) flat-rolled market survey are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in, look under the Data tab for Market Reports, and there you will find the Flat-Rolled Survey Results section. Previous survey results are also available on that page. If you need help accessing these results, or if your company would like to have your voice heard in our future surveys, contact smu@crugroup.com.

    CRU: Futures contract reaches record open interest as prices rise

    Open interest on CME Group’s hot-rolled (HR) coil futures contract typically builds throughout the month before dropping at the end of the month alongside contract settlement. Analysis in this report is based on an early month view of this open interest as well as prices. Notably, open interest for the HR coil contract is currently at a record high of 849,240 short tons (st) or 42,462 contracts.  Open interest is up 13.8% m/m and 66% higher from the 511,480 st of open interest a year ago.