How Many Rigs Are Operating In The U.S.?

Question:  How many rigs are actively exploring for or drilling for oil and natural gas in the United States, and where is this information found?

Answer: 1,535 as of 26 May 2010.

Since 1944, Baker Hughes has provided a weekly census of rig activity.  The census is undertaken by Baker Hughes itself, which has employees in producing fields around the world.    The census looks at active rotary rigs, which are defined in the census as:

A rotary rig rotates the drill pipe from surface to drill a new well (or sidetracking an existing one) to explore for, develop and produce oil or natural gas. The Baker Hughes Rotary Rig count includes only those rigs that are significant consumers of oilfield services and supplies and does not include cable tool rigs, very small truck mounted rigs or rigs that can operate without a permit. Non-rotary rigs may be included in the count based on how they are employed. For example, coiled tubing and workover rigs employed in drilling new wells are included in the count.

Baker Hughes also provides an interactive map of all drilling activity, which is very helpful.  You can search on that map by type of well, depth, state (even country), among other fields.   A quick look at the map shows that about 2/3 (actually 63%) of active rigs are looking for natural gas, with a little more than 500  ( 36%) searching for oil.   Horizontal drilling predominates, with 52% of total activity.