Environment and Energy
Active Gas & Oil Rig Counts for US and Canada
Written by Brett Linton
August 7, 2015
According to Baker Hughes data from August 7, 2015, the U.S rig count for the week was 884 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas. This is an increase of 10 rigs when compared to last week, with oil rigs up 6 to 670 rigs, gas rigs up 4 to 213 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1 rig. Compared to this time last year, the 884 count is down 1,024 rigs, with oil rigs down 918, gas rigs down 103, and miscellaneous rigs down 3.
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. Prices have since stabilized for hot rolled coil but the product is having a difficult time breaking out of a very narrow trading range partially due to the weakness in the energy sector.
The situation in Canada has started to improve over the last few weeks. The Canadian rig count decreased by 7 to 208 rigs this past week, with oil rigs down 12 to 100 rigs and gas rigs up 5 to 108 rigs. Compared to last year the 208 count is a decrease of 179 rigs, with oil rigs down 122 and gas rigs down 57. International rigs decreased by 28 to 1,118 rigs for the month of July, a decrease of 264 rigs from the same month one year ago. For a history of both the US and Canadian rig count, visit the Steel Market Update website here.
About the Rotary Rig Count
A rotary rig is one that rotates the drill pipe from the surface to either drill a new well or sidetracking an existing one. They are drilled to explore for, develop and produce oil or natural gas. The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig count includes only those rigs that are significant consumers of oilfield services and supplies.
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 considered active must be on location and drilling. They are considered active from the time they break ground until the time they reach their target depth.
The Baker Hughes International Rotary Rig Count is a monthly census of active drilling rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas outside of the United States and Canada. International rigs considered active must be drilling at least 15 days during the month. The Baker Hughes International Rotary Rig Count does not include rigs drilling in Russia or onshore China.
Brett Linton
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