Economy

Oil & Natural Gas Rig Count: Nat Gas 79% Below Peak

Written by Peter Wright


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 are considered active from the time they break ground until the time they reach their target depth and may be establishing a new well or sidetracking an existing one. The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig count includes only those rigs that are significant consumers of oilfield services and supplies.

Figure 2 shows that the oil rig count has been trending flat for 18 months but is still close to a high point for the last 2 ½ decades. The gas rig count is still trending down and is currently 79 percent below the peak of September 2008.  

On a regional basis the big three states for operating rigs are now Texas at 843, Oklahoma at 181 and North Dakota at 166. Off shore drilling has recovered from the BP oil spill in 2010 but is still not back to where it was at the beginning of the last decade.

Latest in Economy

CRU: Dollar and bond yields rise, metal prices fall as Trump wins election

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election. The Republican party has re-taken control of the Senate. Votes are still being counted in many tight congressional races. But based on results so far, the Republicans seem likely to maintain control of the House of Representatives. If confirmed, this will give Trump considerable scope to pass legislation pursuing his agenda. What this means for US policy is not immediately obvious. Trump will not be inaugurated until Jan. 20. In the coming weeks and months, he will begin to assemble his cabinet, which may give a clearer signal on his policy priorities and approaches. Based on statements he made during the presidential campaign, we have set out the likely direction of his economic policy here and green policy here.