The count of active drilling rigs in U.S. increased for the fifth straight week, according to the weekly report of Feb. 28 from Baker Hughes. There were 593 rigs in U.S. (up 1 in the past week, down 36 from 629 year ago). Permian Basin reported 305 rigs (up 1 in past week, down 10 in past year). Texas was the only major producing state to report additional rigs last week – up 2 to 282 in past week, down 17 from 299 year ago. New Mexico was unchanged with 105 rigs (103 year ago).
Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico continue to lead Permian Basin with 51 rigs each. Other leaders include Martin and Midland (down 1) with 27 each, Reeves with 26 and Loving with 19. Also there are 14 rigs each in Reagan and Upton (up 1), 11 in Ward and 10 in Howard.
Eagle Ford in south Texas remains runner-up among regions with 48 rigs followed by Williston with 33, Haynesville with 31 (up 1) and Marcellus with 24. And third among states is Oklahoma with 49, North Dakota with 32 and Louisiana with 29 (down 1).