Gulf of Mexico rig count up by six in 2018

Dec. 29, 2018
The Gulf of Mexico drilling rig count was unchanged in the last week of December, according to the Baker Hughes drill rig count.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – The drilling rig count in the Gulf of Mexico was unchanged in the last week of December, remaining at 24 according to the Baker Hughes drill rig count of Dec. 28, 2018.

The number of rigs operating in the Gulf was up by six compared to this time last year, going from 18 to 24 over the course of 2018.

To place this year’s gain in historical context, there were:

* 64 rigs working in the Gulf on Dec. 26, 2008

* 59 rigs working in the Gulf on Jan. 3, 2014

* 21 rigs working in the Gulf on May 13, 2016

* 10 rigs working in the Gulf on Sept. 2, 2016

* 24 rigs working in the Gulf on Dec. 23, 2016

* 12 rigs working in the Gulf on March 29, 2018

* 25 rigs working in the Gulf on Nov. 21, 2018.

For 2018, the overall US rig count, onshore and offshore, finished the year at 1,083, up by 154 from the total of 929 recorded a year earlier. The US added two oil-directed rigs and one natural gas-directed unit during the last full report week of 2018.

12/29/2018