Shale Rig Count

For the first time since the widespread adoption of measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 began hammering energy demand earlier this year, the United States added rigs on a week/week basis, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

The United States added 10 rigs overall during the week ending Friday (Aug. 21) as an 11-rig increase in oil activity offset a one rig decline in natural gas-directed drilling. That left the combined domestic tally at 254 for the week, down from 916 in the year-ago period.

The latest BKR data marked the first weekly increase in the oilfield services company’s combined U.S. rig count since the week ending March 6. At that time, the domestic count stood at 793. What followed was a months-long deterioration in drilling activity...