Environment and Energy
Active Rig Counts Continue to Surpass 2016 Levels
Written by Brett Linton
July 21, 2017
Data from July 7, 2017, shows the U.S. rig count for the week was 950 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas, reports oilfield services company Baker Hughes, Inc. This is down 2 rigs compared to last week, with oil rigs down 1 to 764 rigs, gas down 1 to 186 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0 rigs. Compared to this time last year, the 950 count is up 488 rigs, with oil rigs up 393, gas rigs up 98, and miscellaneous rigs down 3.
The Canadian rig count increased by 15 to 206 rigs this past week, with oil rigs up 12 to 118 rigs, gas rigs up 3 to 88 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0 rigs. Compared to last year, the 206 count is up 104 rigs, with oil rigs up 70, gas rigs up 35, and miscellaneous rigs down 1.
International rigs increased by 3 to 960 rigs for the month of June, an increase of 33 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
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