Completion

The rig stampede back to the patch has resumed, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI). As is often the case in oil/natural gas, Texas led the way.

Commodity prices may not encourage too many rigs to rise in North America in the near-term, but as oil and gas producers experiment with longer laterals and increased fractures, there’s a bit more optimism among sand operators.

A subsidiary of EnLink Midstream Partners LP is holding a binding open season through Aug. 10 to gauge interest in the proposed Greater Chickadee crude oil gathering system to be built in the Permian Basin of Texas. The system, to include more than 150 miles of high- and low-pressure pipelines, would have origin points in Upton and Midland counties and destination points at two terminals in Midland County. EnLink expects to spend $70-80 million for the project, which could be operational in 2017. Preliminary design is to include multiple central tank batteries and pump, truck injection and storage stations. Design capacity would be determined by shipper commitments. Details are available atenlink.com/crudeopenseasonor by contacting Rick Van Eyk at (713) 739-3244 or rick.vaneyk@enlink.com.

Houston-based National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV) is expanding its completions capabilities by acquiring a unit of Trican Well Service Ltd. for C$53.5 million.

Judging by the Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) rig report of a week ago, it looked as if the falling U.S. rig count was coming in for a landing; the most recent count suggests that it will be a bumpy one.

In its survey for the week ending May 13, Baker Hughes Inc. said nine rigs left U.S. play (six from land, one from the inland waters and two from the offshore). That compares with the preceding week when only five U.S. units departed (see Daily GPI, May 6).

Judging by the Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) rig report of a week ago, it looked as if the falling U.S. rig count was coming in for a landing; the most recent count suggests that it will be a bumpy one.

In its survey for the week ending May 13, Baker Hughes Inc. said nine rigs left U.S. play (six from land, one from the inland waters and two from the offshore). That compares with the preceding week when only five U.S. units departed (see Daily GPI, May 6).

Production-related well servicing business remains steady in the U.S. onshore, but completions continue to decline, Basic Energy Services Inc.’s CEO said Monday.