Current PDS Stock Info

Three U.S. plays are more active than Dec. 2015, Canadian rig count 32% higher than 2015

The number of rigs drilling in North America increased by 57 rigs over the course of the week as oil prices remain above $50 per barrel, according to information from Baker Hughes Industries. 27 rigs were added to the United States’ total, while an additional 30 rigs became active in Canada.

Of the rigs added in the U.S., 21 were targeting oil, the largest increase in oil rigs in the last six months.

The total number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. now stands at 498, 26 less than at this time last year. The number of rigs drilling for natural gas increased by six week-over-week to 125, 60 less than at the same time in 2015.

The increased rig activity in the last six months has brought the number of active rigs close to year-ago levels in most basins across the U.S., with three now reporting more activity than a year ago. The DJ, Permian and Utica all reported more drilling activity in the week ended December 9, 2016 than at this time last year. The DJ reported 24 rigs, up one, the Permian reported 246 rigs, up 42, and the Utica reported 19, up 3 from a year ago. The Cana Woodford was down two rigs week-over-week to 37, leaving it at the same level as this time last year.

Drilling in Canada is significantly higher this week than during the same week in 2015, according to Baker Hughes. Canada reported 230 active rigs this week, up 30 from last week, and 56 from a year ago. This week’s increase represents a 32% increase year-over-year.

Oilfield service companies are responding

In its corporate presentation, oilfield service operator Precision Drilling (ticker: PDS) said it has filled 1,000 positions and reactivated 56 rigs. The company operates equipment globally, providing rigs to all the key North American shale plays. The company said it is allocating $105 million of its proposed $109 million capital spend for 2017 to its contract drilling segment. Precision CEO Kevin Neveu said the company has 110 rigs currently running in North America.

precision-rebound


Legal Notice