13 July 2013 – The number of rigs drilling for oil and gas in the US rose by two this week for a total of 1759, according to data from Houston-based services giant Baker Hughes.
Oil-directed rigs were off by four this week to total 1391. Rigs drilling for gas gained seven for a total of 362.
Rigs operating in the US Gulf of Mexico slipped by two to total 55, falling off from a four-year high set last week.
The Williston basin in North Dakota saw the biggest change this week, losing three rigs for a total of 185. It is down 33 rigs from a year ago.
Oil giant Texas gained one rig over all for a total of 836. The Permian basin in west Texas and New Mexico lost two rigs for 463. The Eagle Ford in South Texas gained one for 231. The Barnett in North Texas was flat on 33. The Granite Wash in the Texas panhandle lost two rigs for 68.
Oklahoma was hit hard, losing five rigs on the week to total 169. The Woodford basins were mostly flat, though the Cana Woodford lost one rig for 34. The Ardmore Woodford stayed at 14 – up four since last year – and the Arkoma Woodford stayed at two, reflecting a yearly loss of six.
The Mississippian basin in Oklahoma and Kansas lost one for 71.
The Fayetteville and Haynesville gas plays were each flat on 12 and 40, respectively.
The Marcellus gas play was down one on 75 rigs, 25 fewer than a year ago.
The Utica shale hosted two additional rigs for a total of 37.
The DJ and Niobrara plays in Colorado were flat on 49. That basin is up five rigs on the year.
Alaska gained one rig for nine.
*Luke Johnson, Upstreamonline