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    Analysis

    Active Oil & Gas Rigs Down Over Last Week, Up Over Last Year

    Written by Brett Linton


    With crude oil prices breaking through $80 per barrel, all eyes are on the Baker Hughes rig count data. The question is will the lower oil prices affect the number of wells being drilled be affected? Most assume there will be an impact however, it could have a lag effect and take time before there is a substantial change in the numbers. Steel Market Update will be watching the numbers closely since a reduction in drilling rigs will have an impact on steel usage.

    According to Baker Hughes data from November 7th 2014, the U.S rig count for this week is 1,925 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas. This count represents a decrease of 4 rigs compared to last week, with oil rigs down 14 to 1,568 rigs, gas rigs up 10 to 356 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1 rig. Compared to last year the 1,925 count is an increase of 171 rigs, with oil rigs up by 185 gas rigs down by 9, and miscellaneous rigs down by 5.

    Brett Linton

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    SMU Survey: Current Steel Buyers’ Sentiment Index up, Future Sentiment flat

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    Fed Beige Book finds stronger steel, machinery demand but rising cost pressure

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    Final Thoughts: Sheet prices and lead times are climbing, so are inventories and imports

    On the face of it, nothing much changed in the US steel market this week. Lead times continue to extend. Inventories remain lean. And mills can pretty much name their price. Sheet lead times, which extend well into December, remain at the highest levels we’ve seen since 2021. Plate lead times, meanwhile, set a new record. At 11 weeks on average, they’re higher than anything we’ve recorded – including during the boom year of ’21.