Canada's Rig Count Heats Up While U.S. Fizzles

During summertime, the rigs come out in Canada. The "frozen north" gained 23 active drilling rigs in the latest census from Baker Hughes Inc., released Friday. That increase was enough to bring North America to a net gain of 17 for the week ending July 17, despite a net decline of six rigs in the United States.

Alberta added 11 rigs, and British Columbia saw its tally increase by 10. Saskatchewan picked up three rigs while the other provinces were static. The majority of the rigs added in Canada, 16, were gas-directed; seven oil-directed rigs were added.

However U.S. drilling rigs were back on the retreat after posting an ever-so-modest gain in the previous count (see Daily GPI, July 10). The U.S. lost seven active oil-directed rigs but gained one active gas-directed rig. Of the net decline of six, three rigs were lost from land and three left the inland waters arena. The offshore category was static. (By Joe Fisher, Gas Intelligence) 

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