The number of running rigs in the United States fell for the second straight week in the latest analysis from Baker Hughes (ticker: BHI). A total of 13 rigs left the fleet for the week ended September 4, 2015, and now stands at 864. All of the subtracted rigs were focused on oil plays, and 11 were in Texas. The Eagle Ford and Permian combined to lose six rigs, while the Granite Wash and Haynesville lost two apiece. The Utica and Williston each lost one. The Gulf Coast was on the receiving end of an operations uptick, as a total of four rigs joined the fleet in Louisiana and two others embarked on the Gulf of Mexico.
Overall, 21 rigs have been shut down in the last two weeks in the United States alone, reaching its lowest level since July 17. The Energy Information Administration projects overall volumes declined in every basin, with the exception of the Permian Basin, in its Drilling Productivity Report for August 2015.
Canada, meanwhile, reduced its count by nine and has lost 21 rigs in the last two weeks. Similar to the U.S., oil rigs make up the overwhelming majority of its lost fleet. Seven of the laydowns were from operations in Saskatchewan.
