11 October 2013, News Wires – The number of rigs drilling for oil and gas in the US fell by 13 this week for a total of 1743, according to data from Houston-based services giant Baker Hughes.
Oil-directed rigs were off by five for a total of 1367, while gas rigs fell by nine to total 369.
The Eagle Ford led the decline, losing six rigs for a total of 221. The Permian was down two rigs on 451.
Unsurprisingly, Texas – home to both the Eagle Ford and the Permian – was the biggest loser among states, shedding eight rigs for a weekly total of 822.
The Williston basin of North Dakota was also down two rigs on 181.
The Marcellus was down on 85. The Utica shale of Ohio was up two rigs on 38.
The Granite Wash was down two on 63. The Mississippian was up one on 80.
On a state-by-state basis, Kansas struggled with four fewer rigs for a total of 24. Louisiana also took a hit, losing six rigs for 106.
Oklahoma shot up seven for a total of 178 rigs.
Pennsylvania was up four on 58, but Marcellus mate West Virginia lost four for 30.
Alaska gained four rigs for 11. California lost two for 40.
In its quarterly tally of well spuds, released earlier on Friday, Baker Hughes said there were 9175 new spuds in the three months to September, a 2% increase from the previous quarter and driven be increased drilling efficiencies.
– Upstream