U.S. Rig Count Unchanged for Third Straight Week at 603; Niobrara Leads Gains

U.S. oil and gas rig count was unchanged at 603 for the week ending October 30 according to Baker Hughes data, its third consecutive week without a change and the fourth straight above 600, as gains in the Niobrara (+2) and Gulf of Mexico (+1) balanced out declines in the Eagle Ford (-1), Haynesville (-1) and All Other (-1). Oil-directed rigs climbed to 462 (+2) while gas-directed rigs fell to 130 (-2) and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at 11. Total U.S. rig count is up 15 over the last 90 days and now stands 53 rigs above this week last year.