Enverus: US oil, gas rig count rises 6 during week ended March 31
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
The U.S. oil and gas rig count rose six to 519 during the week ended March 31, according to Enverus.
Climbing totals in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale led the growth, adding four rigs each. The Permian’s total climbed to 236 and the Eagle Ford Shale’s total reached 41, marking their highest levels in nearly a year.
Overall, the U.S. rig fleet is up 113 rigs in 2021.
Learn more: Platts > US oil, gas rig count rises 6 to 519 as Permian, Eagle Ford lead growth: Enverus
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.