Oslo-based Rystad Energy said July 23 its analysis shows that new hydraulic fracturing operations in the U.S., which fell to a low of 325 wells in June during the coronavirus pandemic, are expected to return to above 400 in July. “Recovery will be especially evident in the Permian Basin,” Rystad said, “where activity has nearly tripled.” Rystad’s well count comes from its own satellite data analysis and from its tabulation of data from FracFocus. Rystad said as of July 22 there were already 246 newly-started frac jobs this month, including 125 in Permian. “We therefore estimate that the final July frac count might surpass 400 wells and will return to levels last seen in April 2020,” Artem Abramov of Rystad said. “The running rate of frac activity in the Permian has shifted from 15 to 20 wells per week in May and June to 40 to 45 wells per week in the last three weeks.”