The Marcellus and Utica shale plays continue to demonstrate stability in a U.S. drilling market that remains under pressure.
Seven weeks ago, the region added one drilling rig in the Ohio Utica, bringing the total Marcellus/Utica rig count to 39 active rigs. Since that increase, activity has remained unchanged for seven consecutive weekly reports, marking the highest sustained rig count in the basin in more than a year.
Regional Breakdown
Drilling activity across the three core states has shown unusual consistency:
- Pennsylvania:
The state has held 18 active rigs for ten straight weeks, reinforcing its role as the backbone of Marcellus development. - Ohio:
Ohio continues to operate 14 rigs, a level it has now maintained for seven consecutive weeks — its strongest showing in over a year and the source of the region’s most recent rig gain. - West Virginia:
Rig activity remains steady at 7 rigs, a level unchanged since May 30, 2025, reflecting disciplined, maintenance-style development.
From a formation perspective, 24 rigs targeted the Marcellus Shale, while 15 rigs focused on the Utica, highlighting balanced investment across both dry-gas and liquids-rich zones.
A Signal of Discipline, Not Acceleration
The stability in the Marcellus/Utica stands in contrast to broader U.S. trends. Last week, the national rig count added one rig, lifting the total to 544 active rigs, yet remains well below historical averages.
Rather than signaling aggressive growth, the sustained rig count in Appalachia points to:
- Long-cycle development planning
- Capital discipline and efficiency gains
- Infrastructure-constrained optimization rather than drilling expansion
- Continued focus on high-return core acreage
With takeaway constraints still limiting upside and LNG and power demand shaping long-term strategy, operators appear focused on holding productive capacity steady, not chasing short-term price signals.
Bottom Line
The Marcellus and Utica may not be growing rig counts rapidly — but they are proving resilient.
In a volatile national drilling environment, seven straight weeks at a one-year high underscores the basin’s durability, efficient operations, and critical role in supplying long-dated U.S. natural gas demand tied to LNG exports, power generation, and data center growth.
Stability, not speed, remains the defining theme in Appalachia.
