17 August 2013, News Wires – The number of rigs drilling for oil and gas in the US rose by 13 this week for a total of 1791, according to data from Houston-based oilfield services giant Baker Hughes.
Rigs drilling for oil shot up by 12 this week for a total of 1397, while gas-directed rigs gained two on 388.
Despite the overall rig increase, some of the hottest basins were either down or close to flat on the week.
The mighty Eagle Ford oil shale in South Texas lost seven rigs for a total of 229. It is down 12 on the year.
The Permian basin in West Texas was up just two on 472. The Bakken shale in the Williston basin of North Dakota was flat on 182.
The Granite Wash in the Texas Panhandle continued to show signs of life, gaining three rigs for 74. The Utica shale in Ohio was up one rig on 38.
The Haynesville gas shale was up two on 44. The Marcellus gas shale down one on 86. The Fayetteville was flat on 11.
Statewide, Louisiana made a big push, adding five rigs for 113. California also had a strong week, adding four rigs for 42. New Mexico added two for 76.
Year-on-year, Colorado has performed among the best, up eight rigs. The state was flat on 71 this week but the DJ-Niobrara play was up one rig on 52.
West Virginia is plus-9 on the year but lost one for the week, totalling 37. Alaska is also up eight on the year, adding two more this week for a total of 13. Wyoming added one this week for a total of 52, up one on the year.