Monday, December 23, 2024

Oil Rig News

Baker Hughes reports that the US oil/gas rig counts are stable this week. Pennsylvania has fallen to a 17-year low.

Baker Hughes, a closely watched energy services company, said that the U.S. firms maintained the same number of oil and gas rigs this week. The count fell to a low not seen in Pennsylvania for 17 years, according to its report. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, was 585 during the week ending October 25. Baker Hughes reported that the total number of workers was down by 40 or 6% compared to this time last. This week, oil rigs dropped by two - to 480 - while gas rigs grew by two – to 101. Drillers in Pennsylvania, which produces mainly gas, have cut down one drill rig. The state's total has dropped to 12 rigs, the lowest level since July 2007.

Protecting Offshore Energy Sources via USV

Photo courtesy Mr. Dave Meron

When most people discuss energy sources such as fossil fuel and green energy, it is from an “either-or” perspective. Some favor the former while others advocate for the latter. However, what is often lost in the arguments on both sides is that regardless of the type of energy being extracted or generated, those platforms that are offshore, especially oil rigs, oil and gas pipelines, and wind farms, are incredibly vulnerable to anyone who wants to attack these sources in wartime, or just to make a political statement.One need look no further than the sabotage…

US Oil Rig Count Rises for First Week Since March

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U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating to a record low for a 12th week in a row, although they added one oil rig in the first weekly increase since March as a recovery in crude prices tempt some producers back to the well pad. The U.S. oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by two to an all-time low of 251 in the week to July 24, according to data on Friday from energy services firm Baker Hughes Co going back to 1940.That was 695 rigs, or 73%, below this time last year.U.S. oil rigs rose to 181, while gas rigs fell three to 68, their lowest on record according to Baker Hughes data going back to 1987.Even though U.S.

Chinese Seismic Vessel Returns to Waters off Vietnam Amid Virus 'Distraction' Charges

A Chinese ship embroiled in a standoff with Vietnamese vessels last year has returned to waters near Vietnam as the United States accused China of pushing its presence in the South China Sea while other claimants are pre-occupied with the coronavirus.Vietnamese vessels last year spent months shadowing the Chinese Haiyang Dizhi 8 survey vessel in resource-rich waters that are a potential global flashpoint as the United States challenges China's sweeping maritime claims.On Tuesday, the ship, which is used for offshore seismic surveys, appeared again 158 km (98 miles) off Vietnam's coast…

U.S. Drillers Add Rigs for First Month in 13

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U.S. energy firms reduced the number of operating oil rigs for the first time in three weeks as producers follow through on plans to slash spending on new drilling.Drillers cut 8 oil rigs in the week to Dec. 27, bringing the total count down to 677, the lowest since the week to Nov. 15, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday. <RIG-OL-USA-BHI>In the same week a year ago, there were 885 active rigs.That put the oil rig count down 208 for the year, its first annual decline since 2016. That reduction, however, is much smaller than the record 963 rigs cut in 2015…

U.S. Drillers Add Most Rigs Since Feb 2018

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U.S. energy firms added the most oil rigs this week since February 2018 - primarily in the Permian shale - even though producers have been reducing spending on new drilling for much of this year.Companies added 18 oil rigs in the week to Dec. 20, bringing the total count to 685, the most since early November, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday.In the same week a year ago, there were 883 active rigs.In the Permian in West Texas and eastern New Mexico, the nation's biggest shale oil play, drillers added 15 rigs…

U.S. Drillers Add Rigs for first Week in Eight

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U.S. energy firms added rigs for the first time in eight weeks even as producers follow through on plans to reduce spending on new drilling.Companies added 4 oil rigs in the week to Dec. 13, bringing the total count to 667, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday.In the same week a year ago, there were 873 active rigs.That keeps the oil rig count on track to fall for the first year since 2016. The decline, however, only totals 218, which is much smaller than 2015's record 963 rig decline, according to Baker Hughes data going back to 1987.The oil rig count…

U.S. Drillers Cut Rigs for 12th straight Month

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U.S. energy firms reduced the number of oil rigs operating for a record 12th month in a row after this week cutting rigs for a sixth consecutive week as producers slash spending on new drilling.Drillers cut three oil rigs in the week to Nov. 27, bringing the total count down to 668, the lowest since April 2017, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said on Wednesday in a report released two days early due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. <RIG-OL-USA-BHI>In the same week a year ago, there were 887 active rigs.In November, drillers cut 28 oil rigs.That puts the oil rig count on track to fall for the first time in three years.

U.S. Drillers Cut Rigs Again: Baker Hughes

File Image: AdobeStock / © mentoys

U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for a seventh week in a row as producers follow through on plans to cut spending on new drilling this year.Drillers cut 3 oil rigs in the week to Oct. 4, bringing the total count down to 710, the lowest since May 2017, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.In the same week a year ago, there were 861 active rigs.The oil rig count, an early indicator of future output, has declined over a record 10 months as independent exploration…

US Rig Count Slides

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U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for a fourth week in a row as producers cut spending, leading to slower growth in crude output.Drillers cut five oil rigs in the week to Sept. 13, bringing the total count down to 733, the lowest since November 2017, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.In the same week a year ago, there were 867 active rigs.The oil rig count, an early indicator of future output, has declined over a record-tying nine months as independent…

Baker Hughes: U.S. Oil Drillers Cut Rigs Again

file Image: credit AdobeStock / © Diter

U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for a third week in a row after drilling slowed for nine straight months as independent producers cut spending by about 10% this year.Drillers cut four oil rigs in the week to Sept. 6, bringing the total count down to 738, the lowest since November 2017, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday. <RIG-OL-USA-BHI>In the same week a year ago, there were 860 active rigs.The oil rig count, an early indicator of future output, has declined over a record-tying nine months as producers and their suppliers are cutting budgets…

US Drillers Add Oil Rigs

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U.S. energy firms this week increased the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in seven weeks despite plans by most producers to cut spending on new drilling this year.Companies added six oil rigs in the week to Aug. 16, the biggest increase since April, bringing the total count to 770, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.In the same week a year ago, there were 869 active rigs.The oil rig count, an early indicator of future output, has declined over the past eight months as independent…

US Rig Count Climbs

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U.S. energy firms increased the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in the past three weeks as U.S. crude futures soared around 10% this week.Big energy price declines over the prior couple of months, however, prompted one analyst to cut rig count forecasts for 2019 and 2020.Companies added one oil rig in the week to June 21, bringing the total count to 789, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.That compares with 862 rigs operating during the same week a year ago.The rig count…

Foreign Oil Workers Kidnapped in Nigeria

Gunman kidnapped two foreign workers from an oil rig in Nigeria's Delta region on Saturday, the military said - the second abduction there in less than a week.The attackers raided the rig owned by Niger Delta Petroleum Resources at around 8 a.m. (0700 GMT), the spokesman for the area's military operations, Major Ibrahim Abubakar, said.Troops were searching surrounding swamps, he added.The Niger Delta produces the bulk of Nigeria's crude.

US Rig Count Lowest Since April 2018

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U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for a fourth week in a row with drilling slowing to its lowest in nearly a year, prompting the government to cut crude output growth forecasts.Drillers cut one oil rig in the week to March 15, bringing the total count down to 833, the lowest since April 2018, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.That is the first time the rig count has declined for four weeks in a row since May 2016 when it fell for eight consecutive weeks.The U.S.

Mossel Bay Port Ready to Serve Total

South Africa’s smallest commercial port, the Port of Mossel Bay is well equipped to provide value following global energy giant Total’s significant gas condensate discovery on the Brulpadda prospects, located on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin, 175 kilometres off the southern coast of South Africa, announced Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).The authority has dispelled criticism that it may not be ready to answer the call for capacity necessitated by the recent discovery of vast amounts of gas condensate about 175 kilometres south of Mossel…

US Oil Drillers Cut Rigs for First Week in Four

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The U.S. oil drilling rig count declined this week for the first time in four weeks, although the rig count held close to its highest in over three years as production surges to record highs and some companies forecast even higher output this year.Drillers cut one oil rig in the week to Nov. 2, bringing the total count down to 874, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.The U.S. rig count, an early indicator of future output, is higher than a year ago when 729 rigs were active because energy companies have ramped up production to capture prices that are higher in 2018 than 2017.More than half the total U.S.

Brent Oil Stabilizes Near $72 as Economic Concerns Weigh

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Brent oil stabilized near $72 per barrel on Monday after several weeks of decline, weighed down by concerns over slowing global economic growth but supported by an expected fall in supply from Iran due to U.S. sanctions.Brent crude futures, a benchmark for international oil prices, were at $72.08 per barrel at 1336 GMT, up 25 cents.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 6 cents at $65.96 per barrel.Last week, Brent declined for a third consecutive week, while WTI fell for a seventh week due to concerns about a slowdown in economic growth…

US Oil Rig Count Dips for Second Week in Three

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U.S. energy companies this week cut oil rigs for a second time in the past three weeks as the rate of growth has slowed over the past couple of months with recent declines in crude prices.Drillers cut two oil rigs in the week to Aug. 3, bringing the total count down to 859, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday.More than half the total oil rigs are in the Permian basin in west Texas and eastern New Mexico, the nation's biggest shale oil field. Active units there held steady at 479 for a second week in a row, the same as in early June and the highest since January 2015.The U.S.

Seadrill Suggests Consolidation for Drilling Market Recovery

Seadrill CEO, Anton Dibowitz (Photo:Seadrill)

On Tuesday, Seadrill CEO, Anton Dibowitz said consolidation of smaller offshore oil rig companies would help boost drilling market recovery in the drilling market. The statement comes a day the offshore rig firm emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Seadrill started trading new shares on the New York Stock Exchange and plans to list new shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange by end of July. Shares of Seadrill, controlled by Norwegian-born John Fredriksen, opened at $25 a share, but slid to $18 a share by 11:08am (ET). Seadrill had to seek protection from creditors last September after being hit by prolonged oil market downturn which started in 2014.