Active Rig Count - Dec 23

[dan_s]

Baker Hughes normally updates the active rig count on Friday's, but did it early this week because of Christmas.

The U.S. active rig count declined by nine rigs.
> Rigs drilling for oil down 3 to 538, compared to 1,499 a year ago.
> Rigs drilling for gas down 6 to 153, compared to 340 a year ago.

The Canadian active rig count dropped by 36 to 126, from 256 a year ago. < This is the largest drop I have seen outside of Spring Break-up. The Canadian rig count normally goes up in winter.