Oilfield service company Baker Hughes’s June 2012 rig count has revealed that the total number of rigs across the Middle East region rose from 319 rigs in May to 400 last month
The international rig count included the addition of 79 rigs in Iraq. This is the first time Baker Hughes has included Iraq in its international rig count since 1990.
The company also said that the number of rigs in the world for last month rose by 60 to 1,285 rigs, compared to May 2012. Baker Hughes said that the number of drilling rigs actively exploring or developing oil in June rose 4.5 per cent from May.
The June 2012 rig count also reflects changes for five countries and regions including Indonesia, Colombia, Venezuela, Algeria and offshore China.
Baker Hughes reported the total number of offshore rigs was 358, down from 367 rigs in May, but up from 333 rigs for the same period last year. The number of rigs on land in June was 3,126, up from 2,968 rigs in May and 2,924 in the same month a year ago.
The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig Counts counts the number of drilling rigs actively exploring for or developing oil or natural gas in the United States, Canada and other international markets.
