For only the third time in 2026, U.S. reported a declining count of active drilling rigs. Baker Hughes said in its weekly report of Feb. 27 there were 550 rigs in U.S. (down 1 from the previous week and down 43 or 7.25 percent from 593 a year ago). It’s the first U.S. declining rig count since Jan. 16. The U.S. count has increased from 545 to start the year.
Also in the Feb. 27 report, there were 240 rigs in Permian Basin (up 1 in past week, down 65 or 21.31 percent from 305 in the past year), 230 in Texas (unchanged from last week, down 52 or 18.44 percent from 282 a year ago) and 102 in New Mexico (up 1 in past week, down 3 in past year).
Haynesville remains No. 2 among regions with 52 rigs followed by Eagle Ford with 40, Williston with 28 and Marcellus with 26 – all four unchanged in the past week. Oklahoma is No. 3 among states with 45 rigs followed by Louisiana with 37 (down 2) and North Dakota with 26.