Environment and Energy

December 18, 2020
Active Gas & Oil Rig Counts in December
Written by Brett Linton
U.S and Canadian active rotary drill rig counts were mixed this week, according to updated data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes. The rig count is important to the steel industry because it is a leading indicator of oil country tubular goods demand.
The number of active U.S. rigs rose by 8 this week to 346, with oil rigs up 5, gas rigs up 2, and miscellaneous rigs up 1. Compared to this time last year, this week’s count is down 467 rigs, with oil rigs down 422, gas rigs down 44, and miscellaneous rigs down 1. See the first graph below for a history of active U.S. rig counts.


