Overall drilling activity in the United States held steady to close out 2021, with the combined domestic count finishing unchanged at 586 for the week ended Friday (Dec. 31), according to updated figures published by Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

shale rigs

Total oil-directed rigs in the United States held steady at 480, while natural gas-directed rigs were similarly unchanged at 106. Rig totals on land and in the Gulf of Mexico were also flat week/week in the latest BKR tally, which is based partly on data provided by Enverus.

Directional and vertical rig totals each declined by one week/week, offset by a two-rig increase in horizontal units.

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The Canadian rig...