Sept 3, 2025
The U.S. drilling landscape continues to show signs of strain as the Baker Hughes rig count slipped by two last week, leaving 536 rigs active nationwide. This marks the 16th decline in the past 18 weeks, underscoring a persistent slowdown in drilling activity. While oil rigs saw a modest uptick, gas rigs pulled the total lower, reflecting shifting dynamics in exploration and production. Still, key regions like the Marcellus/Utica have held steady, highlighting pockets of stability amid a broader downtrend.
Here’s a structured summary and analysis of the latest U.S. rig activity based on the Baker Hughes data and broader market context:
U.S. Rig Count Trends
- Total rigs: 536 (↓ 2 from last week).
- Downtrend: Active rigs have declined in 16 of the last 18 weeks.
- Year-over-year: Down 47 rigs from 583.
- Oil rigs: –71 YoY.
- Gas rigs: +24 YoY.
- Miscellaneous: unchanged.
- Offshore rigs: 13 (unchanged).
⚡ By Rig Type
- Oil rigs: 412 (+1 week-over-week, but still down YoY).
- Gas rigs: 119 (–3 week-over-week).
- Miscellaneous rigs: 5 (unchanged).
🏞 Regional Highlights
- Marcellus/Utica (unchanged for 6 weeks, 36 rigs total):
- Pennsylvania: 18 rigs
- Ohio: 11 rigs
- West Virginia: 7 rigs
- Targeting: 24 rigs Marcellus, 12 rigs Utica
- Texas: 241 rigs (+1)
- New Mexico: 95 rigs (flat)
- Oklahoma: 43 rigs (flat; up from 39 a year ago)
- North Dakota: 27 rigs (–1)
- Kansas: 17 rigs (+2)
- Colorado: 12 rigs (flat)
- Alaska: 9 rigs (flat)
- California: 7 rigs (flat)
- Utah: 10 rigs (flat)
- Wyoming: 13 rigs (flat)
✅ Key Takeaways
- The national rig count decline is mainly due to reduced oil-focused drilling, although last week oil rigs ticked up slightly.
- Gas rigs continue to fall, driving much of the week’s decline.
- The Marcellus/Utica region remains stable, with six consecutive weeks at 36 rigs.
- Texas and Kansas showed growth, while North Dakota slipped.
- Overall, rig activity remains well below last year’s levels, reinforcing the ongoing slowdown in U.S. drilling momentum.
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