Energy News Beat Weekly Rig Report – Comparing Baker Hughes, Enverus and WellDatabase for the Overall Market View

U.S. drilling activity remains firmly elevated on a year-over-year basis even as weekly moves stay modest. Baker Hughes’ traditional rotary count printed 604 active U.S. rigs for the week ending November 6, 2026 (up 1 week-over-week and up 56 from a year earlier). Oil-directed rigs reached 463 (+1) and gas-directed rigs 131 (+1). WellDatabase’s operator-level […]

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Will Deb Haaland Destroy Oil and Gas Production in New Mexico

The election creates a real regulatory risk—not evidence of an imminent shutdown. Schools, households and investors need the distinction. By Energy News Beat  |  Friday, November 6, 2026 Evidence in brief What is established What is not established Governor-elect; next term begins Jan. 1, 2027 Official election certification was not verified. Tougher permitting/enforcement proposals An […]

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Chevron Raises Exploration Spending by 50% as It Returns to Frontier Basins, Prioritizing Geopolitical Diversification Away from Key Chokepoints

Chevron is sharply increasing its exploration budget by roughly 50%, targeting more than $1.5 billion in 2026 compared with just under $1 billion in 2025. The move, driven by Vice President of Exploration Kevin McLachlan (recruited from TotalEnergies), marks a deliberate return to high-impact frontier basins after years of heavier focus on the U.S. Gulf […]

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Energy News Beat Weekly Rig Count Comparison: Enverus, WellDatabase, and Baker Hughes — Inventories Tighten as Permian Leads Activity

As of mid-October 2026, U.S. drilling activity is firming. Baker Hughes reported its closely watched weekly rotary rig count at 603 for the week ending October 9 (up 5 week-over-week and up 56 year-over-year). WellDatabase’s operator-level U.S. Operator Rig Report dated 10.11.2026 showed 606 total rigs (down 5 week-over-week but up 32 year-over-year). Enverus’ daily […]

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Permian Gas Takeaway Is Critical, and New Pipelines Are Key to Stabilize Gas Long Term

The Permian Basin remains the engine of U.S. oil growth, but it is steadily becoming gassier. Rising gas-to-oil ratios (GORs) mean every incremental barrel of crude now brings more associated natural gas. Without matching takeaway capacity, that gas depresses local prices, forces curtailments or flaring, and erodes the economics that keep oil drilling active. New […]

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Weekly Rig Report: Baker Hughes Flat at 588, WellDatabase at 601 After a North Dakota Reclass, Enverus Still Running Higher

The three major U.S. rig tallies are telling the same structural story and three different weekly headlines. Baker Hughes held unchanged at 588 for a second straight week. WellDatabase printed 601, down 30 week over week but up 23 year over year. Enverus’s GPS-based daily count continues to run well above both weekly censuses, last […]

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