An increase in Anadarko Basin drilling, specifically the Granite Wash and Cana Woodford, during the first quarter 2013 has not been enough to offset rig count declines in the Bakken and Eagle Ford shales.

On a quarterly average basis, first quarter 2013 rig count is down 6% to 1,300 units turning to the right versus the prior quarter, according to the Hart Unconventional Activity Tracker. The largest decline is associated with the Bakken shale on the basis of inclement March weather. The basin has seen several outbreaks of cold weather accompanied by precipitation.

On the positive side of the ledger, rig count is up 30% in the Cana Woodford and 8% in the Granite Wash as 2013 budgets get under way. Nominally, Granite Wash rig count is up four units, while the Cana Woodford has seen a nine-unit gain compared to the 4th quarter 2012 quarterly average.

Otherwise, rig count remains flat across a majority of markets with incremental decreases of one to two rigs when comparing 1st quarter 2013 performance with the fourth quarter 2012.

Elsewhere, Eagle Ford shale rig count is down roughly 16 units, or 10% as operators make the transition to pad drilling or slow activity as properties enter the sales process.

Stickiness in rig count during the first quarter is in contrast to earlier expectations that activity would rebound sharply from the steep drop as 2012 expired. Timing for the 2013 activity recovery appears tied to seasonality rather than a structural change in operator plans.

Contact the author, Richard Mason, at rmason@hartenergy.com.

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