North American drilling continues to climb

US drilling activity continued to increase this week to a 19-year high of 1,436 rotary rigs, up by 24 from the previous week and exceeding the 1,235 units that were working at the same time a year ago, said Baker Hughes Inc. on Aug. 5.

All of the gain was in land operations, up by 25 rigs to a total of 1,307. Offshore drilling declined by 1 rig to 105, including 101 in the Gulf of Mexico. Drilling in inland waters was unchanged at 24 rigs.