14 September 2013 – The number of rigs drilling for oil and gas in the US rose by one this week for a total of 1768, according to data from Houston-based oilfield services giant Baker Hughes.
Gas-directed rigs posted another strong week, gaining seven for a total of 401. Gas rigs gained 14 last week.
Rigs drilling for oil dropped again, by four, after losing 23 last week. This week’s total was 1361, off 52 from a year ago. The annual disparity was greater than the year-on-year gas rig difference; there were 47 fewer gas rigs drilling this week compared to a year ago.
Texas took a big jump among states in the weekly tally, adding 12 rigs for a total of 850.
The increase was spread across basins, with the Permian and the Eagle Ford leading the way.
The Permian, in West Texas, was up four on 460. The Eagle Ford in South Texas gained three for 234.
The Granite Wash lost two for 68. The Barnett gas play lost one for 31.
Elsewhere, the Marcellus gas shale was up three rigs on 89.
The Utica was flat on 35.
The Williston basin, home to the Bakken and Three Forks formations, lost one rig for a total of 181.
The Haynesville gas play lost four rigs for 39. The Fayetteville gas play was flat on 11.
The DJ-Niobrara play lost two rigs for 47.
The state of Oklahoma was down six rigs on the week for 164. New Mexico lost four for 70.
California was up one for 36.
*Luke Johnson, Upstreamonline
