Texas Rig Count Climbs for Third Straight Week as New Mexico Holds Flat
According to Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine, Texas led major producing states in rig additions for the third straight week, climbing to 240 active rigs as of May 8, based on the latest Baker Hughes weekly report.
Market Snapshot: Permian Gains, New Mexico Flat
Texas picked up two rigs in the prior week to reach 240, building on momentum from 232 rigs at the start of the year. Despite the recent gains, the state’s count remains down 33 rigs, or 12.09%, from 273 a year ago.
The Permian Basin added one rig to reach 242, though that total is still 43 rigs, or 15.09%, below the 285 counted a year ago. New Mexico, which accounts for a significant portion of Permian activity on the western side of the Delaware Basin, held flat at 95 rigs, down just one from the same period last year.
Nationally, the U.S. total edged up by one to 548 rigs, but remains 30 rigs, or 5.19%, below last year’s 578. Other key basins were largely unchanged: the Haynesville sat at 58 rigs, Eagle Ford at 43, Williston at 28, and Marcellus at 25. Among states, Oklahoma added one rig to reach 44, Louisiana dropped two to 42, and North Dakota held steady at 26.
What It Means for Subcontractors
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Texas is where the growth is. With two rig additions in a single week and a gain of eight rigs since January, Texas-side Permian operators are incrementally expanding. Service contractors and equipment providers should prioritize capacity on the Texas side of the basin, particularly in the Midland Basin footprint.
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New Mexico demand is stable but not growing. A flat count at 95 rigs suggests Delaware Basin operators are maintaining current programs without expanding. Subcontractors already working those pads can expect steady workflows, but chasing new awards in New Mexico may be slower going right now.
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Year-over-year deficits still matter for pricing. With the Permian down 43 rigs from a year ago and the U.S. down 30, the broader market remains softer than 2025 levels. Contractors should expect continued pressure on day rates and margins when bidding new work, even as weekly numbers tick upward.
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Watch Oklahoma for secondary opportunities. Oklahoma added one rig this week and sits at 44, making it a potential overflow market for contractors with crews available outside the Permian corridor.
