US oil and gas rig count up 9 to 640 during week ended Sept. 29
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
The U.S. oil and gas rig count increased by nine during the week ended Sept. 29, bringing the total to 640, according to data provided by Enverus.
Oil rigs reached their highest total since April 2020 at 501. Natural gas rigs increased five to 139.
The Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas saw the biggest increase, adding five rigs to total 55. The Permian Basin’s tally also inched up, tacking on three rigs to total 266.
In the Appalachian Basin, the Marcellus Shale lost a rig to total 34 and the Utica Shale remained unchanged with 10 rigs.
Learn more: S&P Global Platts > US oil, gas rig count jumps 9 to 640 on week; Eagle Ford shows biggest change
Leave a Comment
Marcellus & Utica Shale Well Map
Additional Shale Maps
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.