HOUSTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- The number of active drilling rigs in the United States decreased by three to 1,076 this week, or 143 more than that this time last year, according to the weekly data released by Baker Hughes on Friday.
The number of land drilling rigs decreased by one and offshore drilling rigs decreased by two, while the number of inland waters rigs stayed flat.
The number of directional drilling rigs dropped by five to 68 rigs. The number of horizontal drilling rigs increased by five to 934 rigs, and the number of vertical drilling rigs decreased by 3 at 74.
The Houston-based oilfield services company reported that the U.S. state of Louisiana led the loss with the decrease by four to 65 rigs. The U.S. state of Wyoming gained the most by two to 60 rigs.
The number of rigs operating in U.S. oil fields increased by two to 887 rigs this week, and more than half of the oil rigs were located in the Permian Basin region of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The number of rigs drilling for gas fell by five to 189 rigs this week.
Oil prices extended losses on Friday, as piling stockpiles further dampened entrenched concerns over supply surplus, offsetting to some extent market expectations on potential output cut from OPEC and its allies.
The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery decreased 0.52 U.S. dollar to settle at 50.93 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for January delivery decreased 0.8 dollar to close at 58.71 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
