The number of active US energy drilling rigs remained unchanged at 588 for the week ended August 28, according to data released by Baker Hughes.
Oil-directed rigs fell by five to 447, while natural gas rigs increased by the same amount to 132. Miscellaneous rigs held steady at nine, the company reported.
The Permian Basin, the nation’s largest oil-producing shale formation spanning West Texas and eastern New Mexico, saw its rig count hold at 267. Texas added one rig to reach 282, the highest level since February 2025.
Year-over-year, the total rig count rose by 52 rigs, a 9.7% increase from the same week in 2024. The latest figures follow a multiyear decline in drilling activity, with the oil and gas rig count down 7% in 2025, 5% in 2024 and 20% in 2023 amid lower US oil prices that prompted energy firms to prioritize shareholder returns and debt reduction over production growth.
Baker Hughes, the Houston-based energy services company that publishes the weekly rig count, did not provide additional commentary on the latest data.
