The U.S. rig count held at 588 for a second straight week, according to Baker Hughes' weekly report of Aug. 8. That count is up 49 rigs, or 9.09 percent, from the 539 rigs running a year earlier.
The Permian led the major producing regions in new rigs, adding three to reach 263, a total up seven from a year ago. Texas led among states, adding two rigs to reach 275, up 32 rigs, or 13.17 percent, from 243 a year earlier. It marked the second straight week of gains for both the Permian and Texas, after both reported declines on July 24.
Rig counts by region and state
| Region/state | Rigs | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Permian | 263 | +3 week, +7 year |
| Texas | 275 | +2 week, +32 year |
| New Mexico | 96 | unchanged, +1 year |
| Haynesville | 56 | unchanged |
| Eagle Ford | 49 | unchanged |
| Williston | 27 | - |
| Marcellus | 24 | -1 |
| Oklahoma | 50 | unchanged |
| Louisiana | 38 | unchanged |
| North Dakota | 24 | - |
The U.S. added three oil-directed rigs in the past week, a category now up 43 rigs, or 10.46 percent, over the past year.
A rig count, published weekly by Baker Hughes, tallies the active drilling rigs running across the country. It works as a rough, real-time gauge of drilling activity: more rigs running generally means more wells being started.
