U.S. land-based NexTier Oilfield Solutions Inc. said pressure pumping work picked up in the final three months of 2021, with more fleets deployed than in the third quarter. 

NexTier

The gains came despite the surge of Covid-related infections during December caused by the Omicron variant, management noted. 

The Houston-based oilfield services firm said it averaged 30 deployed hydraulic fracture fleets during 4Q2021, with 29 fully utilized. By comparison, 25 fleets were deployed between July and September, with 24 fully utilized. NextTier exited the year with 31 deployed fleets. It also had one staffed fleet standing by, ready for deployment. In 1Q2022, NexTier expects to operate an average of 32 deployed fracture fleets. 

Pace Of Recovery Increasing

“The strong momentum we...