The nation’s total number of active oil and rigs plunged by six in the past week, falling to 542, according to the Baker Hughes Rig Count released on Friday.
The same report showed Oklahoma recorded an increase of one rig for a total of 42, compared to 43 reported one year ago.
Nationally, the drop included a loss of eight oil rigs, leaving 406 active while the number of gas-drilling rigs was unchanged at 127. The miscellaneous count grew by two to nine while the offshore total dropped by two to 15.
A year ago, the nation’s rig total stood at 589 so the decline since then totaled 47 rigs, including 77 oil rigs. The number of gas rigs grew by 25 in the past year while the miscellaneous count increased by five.
Oklahoma’s count of 42 compared to Texas where there was a two-rig increase to 230. New Mexico saw a decline of two rigs, leaving 102 still active. North Dakota was unchanged in the past week with a count of 27.
California remained at eight rigs and Alaska was unchanged at nine rigs. Colorado’s count fell one to 11 rigs and Ohio stayed at 14. The Red Top Rig Report, published by the Independent Oil and Gas Association in Wichita, reported the Kansas count was unchanged at 15 rigs.
Pennsylvania remained at 18 and the count in Utah dropped one to 12 rigs. West Virginia was unchanged at seven rigs and the count in Wyoming continued with 15 active rigs.