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Permian Crude Oil Rig Count Flat, Eagle Ford Tally Increases
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In its weekly release, Baker Hughes Company (BKR - Free Report) reported that the U.S. rig count was higher than the prior-week tally. The rotary rig count, issued by BKR, is usually published in major newspapers and trade publications.
Baker Hughes’ data, issued at the end of every week since 1944, helps energy service providers gauge the overall business environment of the oil and gas industry. The number of active rigs and its comparison with the prior-week figure indicates the demand trajectory for Baker Hughes’ oilfield services from exploration and production companies.
Details
Total U.S. Rig Count Rises: The count of rigs engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the United States was 740 for the week ended Jun 17. The figure is higher thanthe prior week’s count of 733. The current national rig count is higher than the year-ago level of 470.
The onshore rigs in the week ended Jun 17 totaled 721 compared with the prior week’s count of 715. In offshore resources, 16 rigs were operating, higher than the prior-week count of 15.
U.S. Oil Rig Count Rises: Oil rig count was 584 for the week ended Jun 17, higher than the prior week’s figure of 580. The current number of oil rigs — far from the peak of 1,609 attained in October 2014 — is up from the year-ago figure of 373.
U.S. Natural Gas Rig Count Rises: Natural gas rig count of 154 was higher than the prior-week figure of 151. The count of rigs exploring the commodity is higher than the prior-year week’s tally of 97. Per the latest report, the number of natural gas-directed rigs is 90.4% lower than the all-time high of 1,606 recorded in 2008.
Rig Count by Type: The number of vertical drilling rigs totaled 27 units, in line with the prior-week count. Horizontal/directional rig count (encompassing new drilling technology with the ability to drill and extract gas from dense rock formations, also known as shale formations) of 713 compared favorably with the prior-week level of 706.
Gulf of Mexico (GoM) Rig Count Increases: GoM rig count was 15 units, all oil-directed. The count was higher than the prior-week number of 14 units.
Rig Count in the Most Prolific Basin
Permian — the most prolific basin in the United States — recorded a weekly oil rig tally of 344, in line with the prior week's count. In the Eagle Ford, the tally for weekly oil drilling rigs was 60, higher than the prior-week count of 59.
Outlook
The West Texas Intermediate crude price is trading higher than the $100-per-barrel mark, reflecting a massive improvement from last year. Higher oil prices will likely pave the way for rig additions despite a slowdown in drilling activities as upstream players mainly focus on stockholder returns rather than boosting output.
Meanwhile, investors may keep a close eye on energy stocks like Whiting Petroleum Corporation and Continental Resources, Inc. . The companies are expected to benefit from the current healthy oil price scenario.
Whiting Petroleum is a leading upstream energy company and the top producer of crude oil in North Dakota. With oil prices improving rapidly, Whiting Petroleum is expected to continue generating handsome cash flows while maintaining a healthy balance sheet.
Headquartered in Denver, CO, Whiting Petroleum has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2022 and 2023 in the past 30 days. Looking at the price chart, WLL has gained 40.2% over the past year, outpacing the 37.9% rise of the composite stocks belonging to the industry. WLL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Continental Resources is also a leading upstream energy company with proven reserves in North Dakota and Oklahoma. The oil inventories of Continental Resources are among the best in the industry.
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Continental Resources has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2022 and 2023 in the past 30 days. Considering the price chart, Continental Resources — currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 — has gained 80.3% in the past year, outpacing the 37.9% rise of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.
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Permian Crude Oil Rig Count Flat, Eagle Ford Tally Increases
In its weekly release, Baker Hughes Company (BKR - Free Report) reported that the U.S. rig count was higher than the prior-week tally. The rotary rig count, issued by BKR, is usually published in major newspapers and trade publications.
Baker Hughes’ data, issued at the end of every week since 1944, helps energy service providers gauge the overall business environment of the oil and gas industry. The number of active rigs and its comparison with the prior-week figure indicates the demand trajectory for Baker Hughes’ oilfield services from exploration and production companies.
Details
Total U.S. Rig Count Rises: The count of rigs engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the United States was 740 for the week ended Jun 17. The figure is higher thanthe prior week’s count of 733. The current national rig count is higher than the year-ago level of 470.
The onshore rigs in the week ended Jun 17 totaled 721 compared with the prior week’s count of 715. In offshore resources, 16 rigs were operating, higher than the prior-week count of 15.
U.S. Oil Rig Count Rises: Oil rig count was 584 for the week ended Jun 17, higher than the prior week’s figure of 580. The current number of oil rigs — far from the peak of 1,609 attained in October 2014 — is up from the year-ago figure of 373.
U.S. Natural Gas Rig Count Rises: Natural gas rig count of 154 was higher than the prior-week figure of 151. The count of rigs exploring the commodity is higher than the prior-year week’s tally of 97. Per the latest report, the number of natural gas-directed rigs is 90.4% lower than the all-time high of 1,606 recorded in 2008.
Rig Count by Type: The number of vertical drilling rigs totaled 27 units, in line with the prior-week count. Horizontal/directional rig count (encompassing new drilling technology with the ability to drill and extract gas from dense rock formations, also known as shale formations) of 713 compared favorably with the prior-week level of 706.
Gulf of Mexico (GoM) Rig Count Increases: GoM rig count was 15 units, all oil-directed. The count was higher than the prior-week number of 14 units.
Rig Count in the Most Prolific Basin
Permian — the most prolific basin in the United States — recorded a weekly oil rig tally of 344, in line with the prior week's count. In the Eagle Ford, the tally for weekly oil drilling rigs was 60, higher than the prior-week count of 59.
Outlook
The West Texas Intermediate crude price is trading higher than the $100-per-barrel mark, reflecting a massive improvement from last year. Higher oil prices will likely pave the way for rig additions despite a slowdown in drilling activities as upstream players mainly focus on stockholder returns rather than boosting output.
Meanwhile, investors may keep a close eye on energy stocks like Whiting Petroleum Corporation and Continental Resources, Inc. . The companies are expected to benefit from the current healthy oil price scenario.
Whiting Petroleum is a leading upstream energy company and the top producer of crude oil in North Dakota. With oil prices improving rapidly, Whiting Petroleum is expected to continue generating handsome cash flows while maintaining a healthy balance sheet.
Headquartered in Denver, CO, Whiting Petroleum has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2022 and 2023 in the past 30 days. Looking at the price chart, WLL has gained 40.2% over the past year, outpacing the 37.9% rise of the composite stocks belonging to the industry. WLL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Continental Resources is also a leading upstream energy company with proven reserves in North Dakota and Oklahoma. The oil inventories of Continental Resources are among the best in the industry.
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Continental Resources has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2022 and 2023 in the past 30 days. Considering the price chart, Continental Resources — currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 — has gained 80.3% in the past year, outpacing the 37.9% rise of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.