Environment and Energy
US Rig Count Rises for First Time Since August 2015
Written by Brett Linton
June 3, 2016
According to Baker Hughes data from June 3, 2016, the U.S rig count for the week was 408 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas. This is up 4 rigs compared to last week, with oil rigs up 9 to 325 rigs, gas rigs down 5 to 82 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1 rig. Compared to this time last year, the 408 count is down 460 rigs, with oil rigs down 317, gas rigs down 140, and miscellaneous rigs down 3.
This is the first time the US total active rig count has risen week-over-week since the week ending August 21, 2015; at that time there were 885 active rigs total, with 674 oil rigs, 211 gas rigs, and 0 miscellaneous rigs in operation.
The Canadian rig count decreased by 2 to 41 rigs this past week, with oil rigs down 1 to 13 rigs, gas rigs unchanged at 28 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs down 1 to 0 rigs. Compared to last year the 41 count is a decrease of 75 rigs, with oil rigs down 46, gas rigs down 29, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged. International rigs decreased by 39 to 946 rigs for the month of April, a decrease of 256 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
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Environment and Energy
November energy market update
In this Premium analysis we cover North American oil and natural gas prices, drilling rig activity, and crude oil stock levels. Trends in energy prices and rig counts are an advance indicator of demand for oil country tubular goods (OCTG), line pipe and other steel products.
SMU Spotlight: CRU’s Paul Butterworth talks EAFs, CBAM, and decarbonization
Last month I traveled to Sweden to the CRU Steel Decarbonisation Summit in Stockholm. I wanted to see if the European take on decarbonization was broadly different from what we are talking about here in the US.
SSAB OK’d for $139M from European Commission for decarb
Sweden’s SSAB has been awarded €128 million by the European Commission for the steelmaker’s efforts at decarbonization.
GSCC introduces label for new emissions target
The Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC) has taken a step forward in standardizing the decarbonization process with the publishing of its labeling for a certified science-based emissions target.
DOE set to measure GHG intensity of industrial products, including steel
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is launching a pilot project to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of certain energy-intensive industrial products, including steel.