Latest News

US drillers cut oil and gas rigs for second week in a row - Baker Hughes

U.S. energy firms today cut the variety of oil and gas rigs operating for a second week in a row for the very first time because midJanuary, energy services firm Baker Hughes stated in its closely followed report on Thursday.

The oil and gas rig count, an early indication of future output, fell by three to 621 in the week to March 28. << RIG-USA-BHI >< RIG-OL-USA-BHI >< RIG-GS-USA-BHI >> North American rig count a day earlie4r than typical due to the Great Friday holiday. The total count was down 134 rigs, or 18% listed below

this time last year, according to the company. Baker Hughes stated oil well fell three to 506 this week

, while gas rigs were unchanged at 112, holding at their lowest since January 2022. For the month, the overall rig count fell by five, with the oil count rising by 3, and gas down by 8, the most significant regular monthly decline considering that August. In the first quarter, the overall rig count slipped by one in

its 5th quarterly loss in a row. The oil rig count increased by 6, the very first quarterly boost considering that the 4th quarter of 2022, while gas was down by eight. The oil and gas rig count dropped about 20% in 2023 after rising by 33% in 2022 and 67% in 2021, due to a decline in oil and gas costs, higher labor and devices expenses from soaring inflation and as business focused on paying for debt and improving shareholder returns rather of raising output. U.S. oil futures were up about 15 %so far in 2024 after stopping by 11% in 2023.

U.S. gas futures, on the other hand, were down about 31 %so far in 2024 after plunging by 44 %in 2023.

(source: Reuters)