據管道&天然氣雜志網7月23日報道，受油價上漲的影響，美國能源公司自5月以來首次連續四周增加油氣鉆機，盡管由于生產商傾向于緊縮開支，鉆井增長一直緩慢。

　　據能源服務公司貝克休斯(Baker Hughes Co)周五在其密切關注的報告中表示，截至7月23日的當周，作為未來產量的早期指標油氣鉆機數量增加7臺，至491臺，為2020年4月以來最高。

　　位于休斯頓的 Gelber & Associates 分析師在一份報告中表示，雖然鉆井機總數是……是去年8月中旬最低紀錄的兩倍，但鉆井活動仍處于歷史較低水平，必須回到2016年8月（不包括去年）才能發現鉆機數量更低。

　　本周，美國石油鉆機增加7臺，至387臺，為2020年4月以來的最高水平，而天然氣鉆機數量保持不變，為104臺。

　　美國原油期貨周五接近每桶72美元，與上周相比變化不大。上周，原油期貨觸及2018年10月最高水平。

　　由于今年迄今油價上漲了48%，一些能源公司已表示計劃增加支出，但支出規模仍然很小，因為大多數公司仍將重點放在增加現金流、減少債務和提高股東回報上。

　　Gelber分析師表示，盡管今年石油和天然氣價格不時上漲，但許多地區的鉆井仍保持穩定水平。今年晚些時候，為了克服自然下降和維持產量增長，仍然需要大量增加鉆機。

　　貝克休斯首席執行長Lorenzo Simonelli預計，到今年年底，能源公司將在北美增加約50臺鉆機，私營公司在當前價格水平下的活動將有所增加。

　　能源服務公司正從原油價格上漲推動的鉆井恢復中受益，斯倫貝謝和哈里伯頓本周對石油行業復蘇的前景持樂觀態度。

　　但斯倫貝謝首席執行官Olivier Le Peuch表示，美國石油產量可能要到2022年后才能達到疫情前的水平。

　　據密切關注鉆機數量的能源數據提供商Enverus表示，截至7月21日當周，活躍鉆機的數量增加24臺，達到562臺，其中二疊紀增加11臺，達到228臺，阿納達科盆地增加8臺，達到48臺。

　　郝芬 譯自 管道&天然氣雜志網

　　原文如下:

　　U.S. Drillers Add Oil and Gas Rigs for Fourth Week in a Row

　　U.S. energy firms added oil and natural gas rigs for a fourth week in a row for the first time since May, spurred by higher oil prices although growth in drilling has been modest as producers favor spending austerity.

　　The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose seven to 491 in the week to July 23, its highest since April 2020, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said in its closely followed report on Friday.

　　"Although total rigs are ... double, the amount recorded at the low point in mid-August of last year, drilling activity remains historically low, and one would have to return to August of 2016 (excluding last year) to find a lower rig count," analysts at Gelber & Associates in Houston said in a note.

　　U.S. oil rigs rose seven to 387 this week, their highest since April 2020, while gas rigs were unchanged at 104.

　　U.S. crude futures were on track to end the week near $72 a barrel on Friday, little changed from last week, when it hit its highest October 2018.

　　With oil prices up 48% so far this year, several energy firms have said they plan to raise spending, which however, remains small as most firms continue to focus on boosting cash flow, reducing debt and increasing shareholder returns.

　　"Despite elevated oil and gas prices at times this year, drilling in many regions remains at maintenance levels. Significant rig additions are still necessary to overcome natural declines and sustain production growth later this year," the Gelber analysts said.

　　Baker Hughes Chief Executive Lorenzo Simonelli anticipates companies will add around 50 rigs in North America through the end of the year, with private companies picking up activity at current price levels.

　　Energy services firms are benefiting from a resumption of drilling driven by rising crude prices, and Schlumberger and Halliburton this week delivered a bullish outlook for the oil industry recovery.

　　But U.S. oil output may not reach pre-pandemic levels until after 2022, Schlumberger CEO Olivier Le Peuch said.

　　Enverus, a provider of energy data with its own closely watched rig count, said the number of active rigs jumped by 24 to 562 in the week to July 21 with the largest increases in Permian, up by 11 to 228, and the Anadarko Basin, with an eight-rig increase to 48.