Led by Eddy County, New Mexico, the count of active oil and gas drilling rigs in Permian Basin increased for the eighth straight week, according to the March 19 report from Baker Hughes. Eddy County added 7 rigs in the past week for a current total of 37. Permian Basin has 216 rigs (up 4 in past week), Texas has 202 rigs (down 1), New Mexico has 67 rigs (up 7), and U.S. has 411 rigs (up 9).
Lea County in New Mexico remained at 30 rigs as of March 19 followed in Permian by Midland County with 23 (up 1 in past week), Reeves with 21 (down 1), Howard with 19 (unchanged), Loving with 15 (unchanged), Martin with 14 (down 4) and Upton with 12 (unchanged).
Third among states in rig count as of March 19 is Louisiana with 47 (up 2 in past week) followed by Pennsylvania with 18, Oklahoma with 16, North Dakota with 13 and West Virginia with 12. Baker Hughes said runner-up among regions is Haynesville with 45 rigs (unchanged) followed by Eagle Ford with 32 (up 3 in past week), Marcellus with 30, Williston with 13 and Cana Woodford with 11.