As the gap between available and active rigs continues to close, the average rig fleet age is now younger.

The total available rig count for the U.S. continued to decline in 2012, even though activity strengthened, according to the 59th annual NOV Downhole Rig Census. Sliding commodity prices since last year did not seem to impact drilling momentum during this year’s census period in the early summer. While activity grew, the fleet continued to shrink, despite another large number of newly manufactured rigs that came online over the past year. This combination of increasing demand and declining supply further tightened U.S. rig utilization in 2012.

The Canadian market saw both rig availability and rig activity recede during the 2012 census period. A somewhat greater exodus of rigs occurred this year that outnumbered the uptick in new units built. Canada seemed to react more quickly to the lowered levels of oil and gas prices, as evidenced by the drop in drilling.

The global offshore mobile fleet experienced a different scenario altogether, with available rigs, as well as active rigs, climbing. Even more new units entered the worldwide fleet, and these rigs are gradually being put to work as the rebound continues after the U.S. moratorium.

NOV Downhole partners with several companies to pull together the industry statistics that are published in this article. IHS Drilling Data, RigData and ODS-Petrodata provide detailed information regarding the U.S. land and global offshore mobile rig fleets. The Canadian statistics are provided by NOV Downhole personnel in Calgary, along with Nickle’s Energy Group. The international land rig fleet numbers are collected and summarized annually by NOV Downhole regional managers.

CENSUS HIGHLIGHTS

Key statistics from the 2012 census include the following:

• The U.S. rig fleet had a net decline of 75 units, causing the total available count to fall about 2%, to 3,006 units. This overall decrease is the result of 335 rig additions and 410 rig deletions occurring during the past year, Fig. 1.
• A number of U.S. rigs, 386 units, were retired from active service over the past year.
• Newly manufactured rigs were the largest addition to the fleet, numbering 223 units.
• U.S. rigs meeting the census definition of “active” increased to 2,248, up 9%.
• U.S. rig utilization (combined land and offshore) rose to 75%, up from 67% last year, Fig. 2.
• The total number of U.S. rig owners dropped to 317, from 325 in 2011.
• Drilling contractors continue to own 85% of all U.S. drilling rigs, with operators owning the remaining 15%.
• The Canadian available rig fleet declined to 747 units, down 3% from last year.
• Canadian rig activity also dropped 11%, with active rigs numbering 329.
• Canadian utilization is now 44%, compared with 48% in 2011.
• The global offshore mobile fleet’s available count came in at 824, after growing 4%.
• Global offshore mobile activity was up 12%, with active rigs at 626 units.
• Utilization for the global offshore mobile fleet is now 76%, up from 70% last year.
• Most international regions showed increases in land utilization, with the average at 95% in 2012.

To learn more about the 2012 NOV Downhole Rig Census please download the article here .