Texas added 2 drilling rigs last week to halt a streak of 10 consecutive weeks of declining or flat rig counts, according to the latest weekly report from Baker Hughes. The Houston services firm said as of Dec. 12 there were 228 rigs in Texas – up 2 in the past week from 226, but down 56 or 19.72 percent from 282 a year ago. Texas led major producing states with its gain of 2 active drilling rigs. Its latest weekly gain was Sept. 26.
Also as of Dec. 12, there were 249 rigs in Permian Basin (down 2 in past week, down 55 or 18.09 percent in the past year), 104 in New Mexico (down 3 in past week, unchanged from a year ago) and 548 in U.S. (down 1 in past week, down 41 or 6.96 percent in past year). New Mexico’s loss of 3 rigs also led major producing states.
Among regions, Haynesville in east Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas lengthened its lead by adding 4 rigs for a new total of 45 (31 year ago) to 39 for runner-up Eagle Ford, which added 1 rig in the past week but is down 7 in the past year. Other leaders include Williston with 29 and Marcellus with 24 – both unchanged in past week. And among states, Louisiana is third with 47 rigs (up 1) followed by Oklahoma with 41 (unchanged) and North Dakota with 27 (unchanged).