We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Rig Count Stays Steady: Should EOG & MTDR Stocks Be on Your Watchlist?
Read MoreHide Full Article
In its last weekly release, Baker Hughes Company (BKR - Free Report) stated that the U.S. rig count was in line with the prior week’s figure. 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 week-ago figure indicate the demand trajectory for the company’s oilfield services from exploration and production companies.
With the weekly rig count remaining flat, should investors keep an eye on leading oil and gas exploration companies like EOG Resources Inc. (EOG - Free Report) and Matador Resources Company (MTDR - Free Report) ? Before diving into that, let's explore the latest rig count data details.
Baker Hughes’ Data: Rig Count in Detail
Total U.S. Rig Count Flat: The number of rigs engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the United States was 589 in the week ended Dec. 13, in line with the week-ago count. The current national rig count declined from the year-ago level of 623, reflecting the fact that there has been a slowdown in drilling activities. Some analysts see this downside as a sign of increased efficiency among shale producers, who may need fewer rigs. However, there are doubts among a few about whether certain producers have sufficient promising land for drilling.
Onshore rigs in the week that ended on Dec. 13 totaled 573, higher than the prior week's count of 572. In offshore resources, 14 rigs were operating, lower than the week-ago count of 15.
U.S. Oil Rig Count Flat: The oil rig count was 482 in the week ended Dec. 13, matching the week-ago figure. The current number of oil rigs — far from the peak of 1,609 attained in October 2014 — was, however, down from the year-ago figure of 501.
U.S. Natural Gas Rig Count Rises: The natural gas rig count of 103 exceeded the week-ago figure of 102. However, the count of rigs exploring the commodity was below the year-ago week’s tally of 119. Per the latest report, the number of natural gas-directed rigs is almost 94% lower than the all-time high of 1,606 recorded in 2008.
Rig Count by Type: The number of vertical drilling rigs totaled 14 units, unchanged from the week-ago count. Also, the 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 575 was in line with the prior-week level.
Rig Tally in the Most Prolific Basin
Permian — the most prolific basin in the United States — recorded a weekly oil and gas rig count of 304, in line with the week-ago figure. The count was, however, below the prior-year level of 310.
Handsome Oil Price to Favor Upstream: EOG, MTDR to Gain
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is currently trading at more than $70 per barrel, presenting an advantageous landscape for exploration and production. Despite moderation in drilling activity as upstream companies prioritize stockholder returns over production growth, the favorable pricing environment remains beneficial for upstream energy players. U.S. oil and gas companies benefit from significantly lower breakeven WTI prices across all shale plays, particularly for existing wells. Furthermore, the average breakeven price for most new wells remains below current market levels, positioning upstream players for continued profitability in the current environment.
Breakeven WTI Price for US Producers
Amid the backdrop, investors seeking medium to long-term gains may keep an eye on energy stocks like EOG Resources and Matador Resources.
In the United States, EOG Resources is one of the foremost explorers and producers of oil and gas, with its crude reserves spanning across the United States and Trinidad. The company, carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), possesses an extensive inventory of high-quality drilling wells in low-cost, premium resources, ensuring a strong business outlook.
Matador's strategic focus on record production and cost-saving techniques is driving higher profitability per barrel and reducing overall expenses, creating a solid foundation for sustained long-term growth. The recent acquisition of Ameredev assets and their rapid, successful integration — resulting in additional production and lower costs — highlights Matador's operational efficiency. Furthermore, proceeds from the sale of Piñon Midstream are expected to strengthen the financial flexibility of MTDR, which carries a Zacks Rank #3, by reducing leverage ratios. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
Image: Bigstock
Rig Count Stays Steady: Should EOG & MTDR Stocks Be on Your Watchlist?
In its last weekly release, Baker Hughes Company (BKR - Free Report) stated that the U.S. rig count was in line with the prior week’s figure. 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 week-ago figure indicate the demand trajectory for the company’s oilfield services from exploration and production companies.
With the weekly rig count remaining flat, should investors keep an eye on leading oil and gas exploration companies like EOG Resources Inc. (EOG - Free Report) and Matador Resources Company (MTDR - Free Report) ? Before diving into that, let's explore the latest rig count data details.
Baker Hughes’ Data: Rig Count in Detail
Total U.S. Rig Count Flat: The number of rigs engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in the United States was 589 in the week ended Dec. 13, in line with the week-ago count. The current national rig count declined from the year-ago level of 623, reflecting the fact that there has been a slowdown in drilling activities. Some analysts see this downside as a sign of increased efficiency among shale producers, who may need fewer rigs. However, there are doubts among a few about whether certain producers have sufficient promising land for drilling.
Onshore rigs in the week that ended on Dec. 13 totaled 573, higher than the prior week's count of 572. In offshore resources, 14 rigs were operating, lower than the week-ago count of 15.
U.S. Oil Rig Count Flat: The oil rig count was 482 in the week ended Dec. 13, matching the week-ago figure. The current number of oil rigs — far from the peak of 1,609 attained in October 2014 — was, however, down from the year-ago figure of 501.
U.S. Natural Gas Rig Count Rises: The natural gas rig count of 103 exceeded the week-ago figure of 102. However, the count of rigs exploring the commodity was below the year-ago week’s tally of 119. Per the latest report, the number of natural gas-directed rigs is almost 94% lower than the all-time high of 1,606 recorded in 2008.
Rig Count by Type: The number of vertical drilling rigs totaled 14 units, unchanged from the week-ago count. Also, the 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 575 was in line with the prior-week level.
Rig Tally in the Most Prolific Basin
Permian — the most prolific basin in the United States — recorded a weekly oil and gas rig count of 304, in line with the week-ago figure. The count was, however, below the prior-year level of 310.
Handsome Oil Price to Favor Upstream: EOG, MTDR to Gain
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is currently trading at more than $70 per barrel, presenting an advantageous landscape for exploration and production. Despite moderation in drilling activity as upstream companies prioritize stockholder returns over production growth, the favorable pricing environment remains beneficial for upstream energy players. U.S. oil and gas companies benefit from significantly lower breakeven WTI prices across all shale plays, particularly for existing wells. Furthermore, the average breakeven price for most new wells remains below current market levels, positioning upstream players for continued profitability in the current environment.
Breakeven WTI Price for US Producers
Amid the backdrop, investors seeking medium to long-term gains may keep an eye on energy stocks like EOG Resources and Matador Resources.
In the United States, EOG Resources is one of the foremost explorers and producers of oil and gas, with its crude reserves spanning across the United States and Trinidad. The company, carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), possesses an extensive inventory of high-quality drilling wells in low-cost, premium resources, ensuring a strong business outlook.
Matador's strategic focus on record production and cost-saving techniques is driving higher profitability per barrel and reducing overall expenses, creating a solid foundation for sustained long-term growth. The recent acquisition of Ameredev assets and their rapid, successful integration — resulting in additional production and lower costs — highlights Matador's operational efficiency. Furthermore, proceeds from the sale of Piñon Midstream are expected to strengthen the financial flexibility of MTDR, which carries a Zacks Rank #3, by reducing leverage ratios. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.