Baker Hughes’ count of active oil and gas drilling rigs in Permian Basin increased for the sixth straight week as of Sept. 17 (and 10th time in the last 12 weeks). There were 512 rigs in U.S. (503 week ago, 255 year ago), 259 rigs in Permian Basin (254 week ago, 123 year ago), 239 rigs in Texas (235 week ago, 106 year ago), and 84 rigs in New Mexico (82 week ago, 43 year ago).
Two New Mexico counties, Lea (up 3 to 53 rigs) and Eddy (down 1 to 29), continue to lead Permian Basin. Other leaders include Midland (unchanged at 28 rigs), Martin (up 1 to 26), Reeves (unchanged at 21), Howard (up 1 to 17), Loving (down 1 to 15) and Upton (up 1 to 14). Bismarck Tribune reported Monday that in July New Mexico surpassed North Dakota as runner-up to Texas in oil production in U.S. after North Dakota ranked second for nine years. North Dakota’s oil and gas division said the state produced just over 1 million barrels per day in July – 5 percent decline from June.
Haynesville remains No. 2 among regions in rigs with 47 followed by Eagle Ford with 36, Marcellus with 27 and Williston with 23. Louisiana remains No. 3 among states with 39 rigs followed by Oklahoma with 35 and North Dakota with 22.