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    August 22, 2025

    Active rig count declines in US, Canada

    Written by David Schollaert

    Oil and gas drilling activity slowed in the US and Canada this past week. This is an unfamiliar trend after both regions have seen repeated gains of late.

    The weekly count of active rotary rigs in the US, as reported by oilfield services provider Baker Hughes, was down by one at 538 as of Friday, Aug. 22. Active oil rigs decreased by one, while gas rigs were unchanged at 122. Miscellaneous rigs were also flat at five total week on week (w/w).

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

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