WTRG Economics home page Rotary and Workover Rig Counts
Weekly Rotary Rig Count
Monthly International Rotary
and Workover Rig Counts
Graphs
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North American Rotary Rig Counts

The U.S. rotary rig count increased by 12 to 1,113 for the week of November 20, 2009.  It is 828 (42.7%) rigs lower than last year.

The number of rotary rigs drilling for oil was up 14 at 375. There are 44 fewer rigs targeting oil than last year. Rigs currently drilling for oil represent 33.7% percent of total drilling activity.

Rigs directed toward natural gas were down 2 at 726. The number of rigs currently drilling for gas is 785 less than last year's level of 1,511.

Year-over-year oil exploration in the US is down 10.5 percent. Gas exploration is down 52.0 percent. The weekly average of crude oil spot prices is 50.5 percent higher than last year and natural gas spot prices are 49.3 percent lower. Daily crude oil and natural gas futures and spot prices are available on our site.

Canadian rig activity* was up 30 at 293 for the week of November 20, 2009 and is 107 (26.8%) lower than last year's rig count. Canadian drilling falls rapidly in the spring to avoid environmental damage during the spring thaw and rainy season.

*The Canadian drilling industry experiences wide seasonal swings and even year over year comparisons can lead to incorrect conclusions.
North American Rig Count




Change
Percent Change

11/20/09 11/13/09 11/21/08 Weekly Annual Weekly Annual
Total U.S. 1,113 1,101 1,941 12 (828) 1.1% -42.7%
Offshore 36 37 62 (1) (26) -2.7% -41.9%
Land 1,077 1,064 1,879 13 (802) 1.2% -42.7%
Inland Waters 13 13 22 0 (9) 0.0% -40.9%
Oil 375 361 419 14 (44) 3.9% -10.5%
Percent 33.7% 32.8% 21.6% 0.9% 12.1%

Gas 726 728 1,511 (2) (785) -0.3% -52.0%
Percent 65.2% 66.1% 77.8% -0.9% -12.6%

Directional 189 194 378 -5 -189 -2.6% -50.0%
Horizontal 531 512 636 19 -105 3.7% -16.5%
Gulf of Mexico 34 35 59 -1 -25 -2.9% -42.4%
Gulf Oil 11 12 1 -1 10 -8.3% 1000.0%
Percent 32.4% 34.3% 1.7% -1.9% 30.7%

Gulf Gas 23 23 58 0 -35 0.0% -60.3%
Percent 67.6% 65.7% 98.3% 1.9% -30.7%

Canada 293 263 400 30 (107) 11.4% -26.8%
Oil 155 138 182 17 (27) 12.3% -14.8%
Percent 52.9% 52.5% 45.5% 0.4% 7.4%

Gas 138 125 218 13 (80) 10.4% -36.7%
Percent 47.1% 47.5% 54.5% -0.4% -7.4%

North America 1,406 1,364 2,341 42 (935) 3.1% -39.9%

Monthly: International and Workover Rig Counts

International rig count, which excludes the US and Canada, was down 3 at 983 for the month of October, 2009 and is 113 rigs or 10.3 percent below last year's 1,96.

The total number of rotary rigs worldwide in October was 2,294 up 91 from September and 1,224 lower than last year.

US workover rig count for June, 2007 was down 9 to 1,548 and is 100 rigs below last year's level of 1,657.


Source: Baker-Hughes


Change
Percent Change

Oct 2009 Sept 2009 Oct 2008 Monthly Annual Monthly Annual
International Rig Count* 983 986 1,096 (3) (113) -0.3% -10.3%
World Rig Count 2,294 2,203 3,518 91 (1,224) 4.1% -34.8%
U.S. Workover Rig Count** 1,548 1,557 1,647 (9) (99) -0.6% -6.0%
*International Excludes the U.S. and Canada
**Baker Hughes discontinued their workover rig count. The latest data reported is for June, 2007
The Rig Count page will be updated as the data becomes available. US rotary and Canadian rig counts are updated weekly.  International, world and workover rig counts are updated mid month.  The oil price shown in all long term graphs and all but the short term graph of US and Canadian rotary rig counts is US average wellhead price. The price in the short term US and Canadian rotary rig count graphs is WTI spot.








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Long term
Short Term
Rotary Rig Count - United States
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Rotary Rig Count - United States Weekly
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Rotary Rig Count - Canada
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Rotary Rig Count - Canada Weekly
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Rotary Rig Count - International
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Rotary Rig Count - International
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Rotary Rig Count - World
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Rotary Rig Count - World
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Workover Rig Count
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Workover Rig Count
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