The U.S. natural gas rig count fell by two for the week ending Friday (July 26), while a five-rig increase in the oil patch sent the combined domestic tally up to 589, according to the latest Enverus and Baker Hughes Co. (BKR) data.
The domestic gas patch had 101 active rigs, compared with 128 in the year-earlier period, the data indicated.
Land drilling increased by four rigs week/week overall in the United States, while the Gulf of Mexico shed one unit to end at 19 rigs. Horizontal rigs increased by three to 523, directional units rose by one to 49, while the vertical count decreased by one to 17.
The Canadian rig count, meanwhile, increased by 14 rigs for the week to finish at 211, up from 193 in the year-earlier period. Changes included a 14-rig increase in the oil patch, with one unit increased in the natural gas patch. One miscellaneous rig also was dropped.
Looking at changes by region, one rig each was added from the previous week in the Eagle Ford Shale to 50, the Williston Basin to 36, Cana Woodford to 17 and Arkoma Woodford to two.
On the other side of the ledger, the Permian Basin dropped one rig to 304. The Mississippian Lime also dropped its only rig.
Counting by state, Oklahoma added two units, while North Dakota and Alaska added one rig apiece. Louisiana dropped one rig.
