Wyoming sees largest increase
Drilling activity increased this week, according to Baker Hughes’ Weekly Rig Count.
The total number of rigs active in the U.S. rose by eight to 923 this week, marking the third straight week of increasing activity. Seven of these rigs are based on land, while one offshore rig became active. There are now a total of 900 land-based rigs active in the U.S., the first time the land rig count has broken 900 since early October.
Oil activity resumed increasing this week, after staying flat last week. Nine oil rigs came online, while one gas-targeting rig shut down. There are now 747 oil rigs and 176 gas rigs active in the U.S.
Horizontal activity also increased significantly, with ten new rigs coming online. Three vertical rigs also became active, while five directional rigs shut down. There are now 786 horizontal rigs, 71 directional and 66 vertical, or 85.2%, 7.7% and 7.2% of the total, respectively.
The largest increase in state rig count comes from a less likely location: Wyoming added four rigs this week, rising to a total of 25 active rigs. All of the major states tracked by Baker, by contrast, showed small or no change. Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas all added one rig, while one shut down in Utah.
The increased rig activity almost entirely targets minor basins, as rig counts among major basins were nearly unchanged. Two rigs came online in the Permian, and one started activities in the DJ-Niobrara. One rig also shut down in the Cana Woodford.
