Environment and Energy
U.S., Canadian Rig Counts Increase This Week
Written by Brett Linton
January 13, 2018
The U.S. rig count, an indicator of oil country tubular goods demand, increased this week, according to Jan. 12 data from oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The number of active U.S. drill rigs rose by 15 to 939 rigs, with oil rigs up 10 to 752 rigs, gas rigs up 5 to 187 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0 rigs. Compared to this time last year, the 939 count is up 280 rigs, with oil rigs up 230, gas rigs up 51, and miscellaneous rigs down 1. See the first graph below for a history of active U.S. rig counts.
The Canadian rig count recovered from its seasonal slump, climbing by 102 to 276 rigs this past week, with oil rigs up 87 to 185 rigs, gas rigs up 15 to 91 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0. Compared to last year, the 276 count is down 39 rigs, with oil rigs up 15, gas rigs down 53, and miscellaneous rigs down 1. See the second graph below for a history of active Canadian rig counts.
International rigs increased by 12 to 942 rigs for the month of December, an increase of 25 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
AISI announces publication of environmental rules for N. American steel construction products
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has announced the publication of the third version of the Product Category Rules (PCR) for North American Steel Construction Products.
Reports: Federal funding for Cliffs’ project could be slashed
Elon Musk's DOGE is determining which Department of Energy grants to advance and which ones to terminate, according to several media outlets
Flack’s Fabral launches solar division
The metal roofing manufacturer is launching Fabral Solar to integrate solar technology within commercial, residential, and agricultural structures.
Trump intends to declare ‘national energy emergency,’ focus on fossil fuels
The incoming administration said it also wants to streamline permitting and roll back regulations.
Nucor carbon targets certified by GSCC
Nucor’s “ambitious” carbon targets by the end of the decade and beyond have been certified by the Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC). The Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker used a base year of 2023 for its science-based emissions targets (SBET). It set an SBET of 0.975 metric tons (mt) of CO2 emissions per mt of hot-rolled steel […]