Permian Basin added drilling rigs for the second straight week – a first this year – in the weekly report of March 24 from Houston-based services firm Baker Hughes. Permian now has 353 rigs after adding 3 in the past week (319 a year ago, 353 to start 2023). There are 372 rigs in Texas (371 last week, 326 a year ago), 108 in New Mexico (106 last week, 96 a year ago) and 758 in U.S. (754 last week, 670 a year ago). Only New Mexico has surpassed its rig count since the beginning of the year (up 6 from 102).
Eagle Ford in south Texas remains No. 2 among regions with 70 rigs (unchanged in past week, 56 a year ago) followed by Haynesville with 67 (67 last week, 67 a year ago), Williston with 42 (42 last week, 34 a year ago) and Marcellus with 40 (40 last week, 36 a year ago). Permian’s gain of 3 was the biggest in the past week among regions.
Oklahoma is No. 3 among states with 61 rigs (down 1 in past week, up 12 in past year) followed by Louisiana with 58 (up 1 in past week, down 2 in past year) and North Dakota with 41 (unchanged from last week, up 8 in past year).
Lea (up 1 to 54 rigs) and Eddy (up 1 to 53) counties in New Mexico continue to lead Permian Basin. Martin County is No. 3 with 42 rigs (unchanged in past week) followed by Reeves with 38 (down 1), Midland with 28 (unchanged) and Loving with 26 (up 2). Unchanged last week were Upton with 19, Howard with 18 and Glasscock with 10.