A major hurricane and a corresponding dramatic pullback in offshore drilling numbers saw the overall U.S. rig count plummet 11 units to 497 for the week ended Friday (Sept. 3), according to the latest figures published by Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

shale rig count Sep 3

Net changes in the United States included a 16-rig decrease in oil-directed drilling and a net five-rig increase in natural gas-directed units. BKR reported a steep 14-rig decline in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) for the period, leaving zero active rigs there in the oilfield services company’s latest weekly data. Three rigs exited inland waters for the week, while five rigs were added on land.

The reported drop in GOM activity comes in the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ida, which had shut in most of the region’s production...