Environment and Energy

Active Rig Counts Dip This Week
Written by Brett Linton
September 8, 2017
The weekly U.S. rig count remained steady this week, according to Sept. 8 data from Baker Hughes, a GE Company. The number of active oil rigs declined by 3 to 756 rigs, while the active gas rig count rose 4 to 187 rigs. The miscellaneous rig count was unchanged at 1 rig. Compared to this time last year, the 944 count is up 436 rigs, with oil rigs up 342, gas rigs up 95, and miscellaneous rigs down 1.
The Canadian rig count increased by 1 to 202 rigs this past week, with oil rigs unchanged at 102 rigs, gas rigs up 1 to 100 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged. Compared to last year, the 202 count is up 68 rigs, with oil rigs up 28, gas rigs up 41, and miscellaneous rigs down 1.
International rigs decreased by 7 to 952 rigs for the month of August, an increase of 15 rigs from the same month one year ago. For a history of both the U.S. and Canadian rig count, visit the Rig Count page on the Steel Market Update website here.
About the Rotary Rig Count
A rotary rig is one that rotates the drill pipe from the surface to either drill a new well or sidetrack an existing one. They are drilled to explore for, develop and produce oil or natural gas. The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig count includes only those rigs that are significant consumers of oilfield services and supplies.
The Baker Hughes North American Rotary Rig Count is a weekly census of the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the United States and Canada. Rigs considered active must be on location and drilling. They are considered active from the time they break ground until the time they reach their target depth.
The Baker Hughes International Rotary Rig Count is a monthly census of active drilling rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas outside of the United States and Canada. International rigs considered active must be drilling at least 15 days during the month. The Baker Hughes International Rotary Rig Count does not include rigs drilling in Russia or onshore China.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Environment and Energy

USS, NETL to Test Carbon Capture Technology at Edgar Thomson Plant
U.S. Steel and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) plan to test carbon-capture technology at the company’s Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pa.

Leibowitz: Readout of the SMU Steel Summit—Steel Decarbonization
As the Oct. 31 deadline approaches to reach an agreement on steel matters, the US and EU are headed for an impasse.

Leibowitz: The Steel Mess—Decarbonization, Overcapacity, and Stalemate
Steel trade continues to cause dissension among our friends, perhaps more so than our adversaries. The conflict between the US and EU is the most talked about, but it impacts others including Japan, Brazil and India.

Steel Groups Urge US-Made Material to Receive IRA Tax Credits
Five domestic steel trade associations wrote a letter requesting the government to ensure the use of US-made steel in certain components of wind and solar projects receiving federal funding. Addressing the letter to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the groups included the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), […]

Rig Counts: US Drops, Canada Sees Modest Increase
The rig count roller coaster continues, with numbers dropping in the US but inching up in Canada this week, according to the latest data from oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The total US rig count dipped to 664 active rigs as of July 28, down five from the week prior. Active oil rigs in the US decreased […]