From the AAR:

In October 2011, 12 of the 20 carload commodity categories saw increases on U.S. railroads compared with October 2010.  The largest gains were: motor vehicles and parts, up 6,177 carloads or 11.1 percent; coal, up 6,124 carloads or 1.1 percent; and petroleum and petroleum products, up 5,018 carloads or 19.4 percent. Commodity groups seeing a decline in October included grain, down 14,904 carloads or 14.2 percent, and grain mill products, down 2,173 carloads or 5.4 percent.

Oil rig counts in the US were up by 34 for the week, the largest weekly jump in oil rig counts since oil and gas counts were first tracked separately in 1987. However natural gas rigs declined by 27, the largest weekly drop since April 2009. Still the overall US rig count rose to the highest level since September 2008.

Here is a summary of the changes over time to keep the numbers in perspective and not focus on a delta of 2 rigs:

Feb-04, 2011   911
Jan-14, 2011   902
Aug 2010       992
Feb 2009     1,018
Sep 2008     1,606

The current number of rigs is still above the of the number 800 thought to be the level where production is cut enough to tighten supply.

The number of horizontal rigs increased and set a record high. It went up 8, to 981 after setting a record high last week. These are part of the total rig count. An estimated 2/3 of these drill for natural gas and the rest for oil.

Data for this post is from Baker Hughes.

Even with the GOM shut down, oil rig counts rise while NG rigs drop just 1.  The GOM shutdown is deepwater rigs affecting 30+ rigs or so. Big news for the area and you will hear a lot about it on the national media but it is just one piece of the US drilling business.

The number of oil and gas rigs climbed to 1,539, up 12 rigs from the previous week, according to data from oil-field services company Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI). The number of gas rigs was 953, a decrease of one rig from last week, while the oil rig count was 574, an increase of 13 rigs. The number of miscellaneous rigs was unchanged at 12 rigs.

The impact of the  Gulf of Mexico deep water drilling ban is being felt in the rig count as oil rigs in the Gulf dropped from 27 to 9 and gas rigs dropped from 19 to 14. Overall the total US rig count declined by 29 rigs, 21 of those in the Gulf of Mexico.

Rigs exploring and producing in the U.S. totaled 1,506 for the week ended June 4, 2010 (as clear from the first chart below from Baker Hughes). This is down by 29 from the previous week’s tally and represents the first decline in six weeks. However, the current nationwide rig count is 72% higher from the 2009 low of 876 (set in the week ended June 12, 2009) and significantly exceeds the prior-year level of 887. It rose to a 22-year high in 2008, peaking at 2,031 in the weeks ended August 29 and September 12.

Gas rig count was up 18, oil rigs down 6. Unless people stop drilling, natural gas prices are not going up.

The number of oil and gas rigs climbed to 1,518, up 12 rigs from the previous week, according to data from oil-field services companyBaker Hughes Inc. (BHI). The number of gas rigs was 969, an increase of 18 rigs from last week, while the oil rig count was 538, a decrease of six rigs. The number of miscellaneous rigs was unchanged at 11 rigs.

The jump in the gas rig count signals that producers aren’t reining in drilling activity, despite low prices for the fuel. Gas output from hard-to- reach rock formations known as shales has remained robust over the past several months, placing downward pressure on prices. Many shale-gas producers hold leases that require them to drill by a certain date.

Oil rigs continue to increase and gas rigs decrease as the price difference between oil and gas continues to widen.

HOUSTON – The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by nine this week to 1,492.

Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 953 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 528 for oil. Eleven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 928.

This does not make clear why they pulled equipment off the rigs, it is safety issues with the oil in the water or is the equipment needed at the blow out? If safety concerns with all the oil in the water is shutting down production in the GOM, then that will be showing up in crude prices soon.

HOUSTON -(Dow Jones)- Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) Chief Executive Chad Deaton said the company has moved equipment off of three or four rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico as a result of the massive oil spill there.

“We have had to move our equipment off rigs,” Deaton said, noting that some of its clients have evacuated some personnel from those drilling rigs in the U.S. Gulf.

The rig count this week confirmed the shift from natural gas to oil as oil prices stay high and natural gas prices remain low. Oil rigs increase 8 while gas rigs dropped by 17. This was the first decline in the total number of rigs operating in 17 weeks.

HOUSTON -(Dow Jones)- The number of rigs drilling for natural gas fell this week as low prices for the fuel slowed activity.

The number of oil and gas rigs fell to 1,482, down 9 rigs from the previous week, according to data from oil-field services company Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI). The number of gas rigs was 956, a decrease of 17 rigs from last week, while the oil rig count was 514, an increase of eight rigs. The number of miscellaneous rigs was unchanged at 12 rigs.

Nickle’s Rig Locator provides a good summary of current rig activity in Canada