According to a recent report by WRTG economics, for the week ending June 18, the US rotary rig count increased by 12, to 1,539. This reflects a 71.2 percent year-on-year increase from numbers reported during the same time period in 2009.
The number of rotary rigs drilling for oil was up 13, to 574. This marks an annual increase of 196 from the number of oil rigs than reported during the same time period in 2009.
Rigs directed toward natural gas declined by 1. The number of rigs currently drilling for gas is 261 greater than last year's reported 692.
Canadian rig activity was up 23 at 236 for the week of June 18, 2010 and is 93 higher than last year's rig count. Canadian drilling falls rapidly in the spring to avoid environmental damage during the spring thaw and rainy season. It should be noted, though, that the Canadian drilling industry experiences wide seasonal swings, meaning year-on-year comparisons can lead to incorrect conclusions.