Post by: Bob Williams, Director of News & Analysis, RigData 

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Drillers best weathering the downturn seem to be those with a relatively strong focus on a play or region—in particular those concentrated on natural gas-centered activity, according to RigData’s RADAR Report.

RigData unveiled its quarterly US land well count for 4Q and full-year 2015 in January, noting the -50% YOY decline in the number of new spuds in 2015. The top 20 US onshore drillers—by number of wells drilled—accounted for about 72% of the total well count last year. The top 20 contractors drilled -9,194, or -39%, fewer wells in 2015 vs. 2014. The top 5 drillers remained the same, with the exception of Patterson-UTI moving to the No. 2 spot, while Nabors dropped down to the No. 3 spot.

Even though H&P remained No. 1 in number of wells drilled YOY, the company drilled -1,450 fewer wells in 2015 vs. 2014. Among the remaining top 5 drillers’ declines YOY in 2015 were Patterson -998, Nabors -1,162, Ensign -780, and Precision -603. New to the top 20 drilllers ranks were SWN, Orion, and WW Drilling.