Environment and Energy
Active Oil & Gas Rig Counts Continue to Rise
Written by Brett Linton
February 3, 2017
According to Baker Hughes data from February 3, 2017, the U.S rig count for the week was 729 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas. This is up 17 rigs compared to last week, with oil rigs up 17 to 583 rigs, gas rigs unchanged at 145 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 1 rig. Compared to this time last year, the 729 count is up 158 rigs, with oil rigs up 116, gas rigs up 41, and miscellaneous rigs up 1.
The Canadian rig count decreased by 2 to 343 rigs this past week, with oil rigs down 3 to 197 rigs, gas rigs up 1 to 146 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0 rigs. Compared to last year the 343 count is up 101 rigs, with oil rigs up 66, gas rigs up 35, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged. International rigs increased by 4 to 929 rigs for the month of December, a decrease of 166 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
AISI cheers passage of water resources bill in Congress
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) lauded the recent passage of a water resources bill in Congress.
Solar power to supply Hybar’s Arkansas rebar mill
Green & Clean Power will supply electricity to Hybar’s mill that is due to begin operations next summer.
SMA sends pro-steel policy plan to Trump administration
“We are under constant threat from nonmarket economies who evade our trade laws," SMA said.
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.