Environment and Energy

October 23, 2015
Active Gas & Oil Rig Count for mid-October
Written by Brett Linton
According to Baker Hughes data from October 23, 2015, the U.S rig count for the week was 787 rigs exploring for or developing oil or natural gas. This is unchanged overall compared to last week, with oil rigs down 1 to 594 rigs, gas rigs up 1 to 193 rigs, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0 rigs. Compared to this time last year, the 787 count is down 1,140 rigs, with oil rigs down 1,001, gas rigs down 139, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged.
The decline in the drilling of new gas and oil wells is having a direct impact on the amount of line pipe, storage tanks, and OCTG that is being used by the energy sector. A good portion of these products come from hot rolled coil or plate substrate, and are reasons for both the short lead times on hot rolled and plate at North American steel producers and the falling steel prices we have seen going back to mid-2014.


