Active Gas & Oil Rig Count in mid-November

According to Baker Hughes data from November 13, 2015, the U.S rig count for the week was 767 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas. This is a decrease of 4 rigs compared to last week, with oil rigs up 2 to 574 rigs, gas rigs down 6 to 193 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0 rigs. Compared to this time last year, the 767 count is down 1,161 rigs, with oil rigs down 1,004, gas rigs down 157, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged.

The decline in the drilling of new gas and oil wells is having a direct impact on the amount of line pipe, storage tanks, and OCTG that is being used by the energy sector. A good portion of these products come from hot rolled coil or plate substrate, and are reasons for both the short lead times on hot rolled and plate at North American steel producers and the falling steel prices we have seen going back to mid-2014.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.