Oil and gas drillers across the U.S. have idled 108 rigs in the last two weeks, including 54 in Permian Basin and 59 in Texas, according to the weekly report of April 3 by Houston-based oilfield services firm Baker Hughes. Permian Basin lost 31 rigs in the latest week for a new total of 351 (462 a year ago), and Texas lost 30 rigs in the latest week for a new total of 338 (499 a year ago). Rig count in New Mexico as of April 3 was 100 (109 previous week, 107 previous year). Texas led states in declining count for the second straight week.
Across the U.S., as of April 3, there were 664 rigs (728 a week ago, 1,025 a year ago). The U.S. count is 64.8 percent of the count a year ago. It was the largest one-week decline in five years.
Eddy County, N.M., regained its lead in Permian Basin with 52 rigs. Lea County, N.M., lost 8 rigs in the past week to fall to 47. Other Permian leaders include Midland (40), Martin (39), Loving (29), Reeves (26) and Howard (24).
Rig counts in other leading states include Louisiana (44), North Dakota (42) and Oklahoma (29). Other leading regions include Eagle Ford (57), Williston (43), Haynesville (39) and Marcellus (39).