29 March 2013 – The number of oil and gas rigs drilling in the US rose by two this week for a total of 1748, according to data from Houston-based services giant Baker Hughes.
Rigs drilling for oil rose by 30 this week for a total of 1354. They are up 36 compared to a year ago.
Gas rigs went the other direction, losing 29 for a total of 389, even as gas prices have started to show signs of life. Gas-directed rigs are down 269 for the year.
Oklahoma was the big gainer this week, adding nine rigs for a total of 192. Kansas was also up, adding one rig for 25.
Colorado was the only other state to register multiple rig gains. It added two for 58.
Wyoming lost one for 42. Utah was flat on 30 and Nevada was flat on three.
Other gainers included North Dakota, which added one rig for 175. Montana lost one for 10.
Pennsylvania also gained one for a total of 69. Ohio was flat on 28 and West Virginia was flat on 22.
Louisiana was the big loser this week, shedding seven rigs for a total of 102.
Arkansas was flat on 15 and Mississippi was flat on 10.
Texas took a hit too, losing four rigs for a total of 823. Texas is down 99 on the year, the biggest spread of any state.
The Permian basin in West Texas lost about six rigs, coming in around 390. The Eagle Ford in South Texas edged up two to 294.
New Mexico was flat on 80.
California was flat on 39. Alaska was flat on nine.
*Luke Johnson, Rigzone