The number of rotary rigs drilling for oil was up 16 at 544. There are 363 more rigs targeting oil than last year. Rigs currently drilling for oil represent 36.1 percent of all drilling activity.
Rigs directed toward natural gas were down 2 at 951. The number of rigs currently drilling for gas is 223 (30.6 percent) greater than last year's level of 728.
Year-over-year oil exploration in the US is up 200.6 percent. Gas exploration is up 30.6 percent.
Canadian rig activity* was up 18 at 121 for the week of May 14, 2010 and is 53 (77.9 percent) 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.
*The Canadian drilling industry experiences wide seasonal swings and even year over year comparisons can lead to incorrect conclusions.
Monthly: International Rig Counts
International rig count, which excludes the US and Canada, was unchanged at 1,074 for the month of April 2010 and is 88 rigs or 8.9 percent above last year's 986.
The total number of rotary rigs worldwide in April was 2,676 down 203 from March and 621 higher than last year.