U.S. oil and gas rig count fell by five rigs to 588 for the week ending August 21 according to Baker Hughes data, as declines in Gulf of Mexico (-2), Haynesville (-2), the Niobrara (-1) and All Other (-3) overwhelmed gains in Permian (+2) and the Eagle Ford (+1). Oil-directed rigs declined to 452 (-3) and gas-directed rigs slipped to 127 (-1), while miscellaneous rigs declined to 9 (-1). Total U.S. rig count is up 30 over the last 90 days and now stands 50 rigs above this week in 2025.
| 8/21/26 | vs. Last Week | vs. Last Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permian | 267 | +2 | +11 |
| Eagle Ford | 52 | +1 | +10 |
| Haynesville | 70 | –2 | +18 |
| Anadarko | 49 | – | +6 |
| Appalachia | 35 | – | –1 |
| Bakken | 27 | – | –3 |
| Niobrara | 22 | –1 | +4 |
| Gulf of Mexico | 9 | –2 | –2 |
| All Other | 57 | –3 | +7 |
| Total | 588 | –5 | +50 |
