U.S. count of active drilling rigs fell decisively in the past week, according to Baker Hughes in its weekly report of Nov. 26 before Thanksgiving holidays. There were 544 rigs in U.S. – down 10 from the previous week and down 38 or 6.5 percent from 582 a year ago. The number of oil-directed rigs declined by 12 in the previous week to 407 (down 70 or 14.7 percent from 477 a year ago), and the number of natural gas-directed rigs increased by 3 to 130 (up 30 in the past year).
Also as of Nov. 26, there were 251 rigs in Permian Basin (254 week ago, 303 year ago), 226 rigs in Texas (234 week ago, 281 year ago) and 106 rigs in New Mexico (106 week ago, 102 year ago).
None of the top five producing regions or top five producing states added rigs last week. Runner-up Haynesville was unchanged at 41, Eagle Ford was down 2 to 39, Williston was unchanged at 29 and Marcellus was unchanged at 24. Among states, Louisiana (42) and Oklahoma (41) each declined by 1 rig, and North Dakota was unchanged with 27 rigs.