Oil drilling rigs
The global oil rig count fell by 27 units year-on-year (YoY) in May to a total of 1,734. Despite the annual decline, the count increased by 19 rigs from April, data from Baker Hughes showed. 
The number of drilling rigs in the Middle East declined by 28 units compared with the same month a year earlier, the oilfield services company’s report, released on Friday, also showed.
The number of oil and gas rigs worldwide, excluding the US and Canada, also fell by 25 rigs YoY.
Changes in oil and gas drilling rigs (May 2026)
Region
Year Ago
Previous Month
Current
MoM Change
YoY Change
Middle East
512
480
484
4
(28)
Global Total (excluding North America)
1,071
1,036
1,046
10
(25)
Global Total
1,761
1,715
1,734
19
(27)
Oil drilling rigs
The global oil rig count fell by 27 units year-on-year (YoY) in May to a total of 1,734. Despite the annual decline, the count increased by 19 rigs from April, data from Baker Hughes showed.
The number of drilling rigs in the Middle East declined by 28 units compared with the same month a year earlier, the oilfield services company’s report, released on Friday, also showed.
The number of oil and gas rigs worldwide, excluding the US and Canada, also fell by 25 rigs YoY.
Changes in oil and gas drilling rigs (May 2026)
Region
Year Ago
Previous Month
Current
MoM Change
YoY Change
Middle East
512
480
484
4
(28)
Global Total (excluding North America)
1,071
1,036
1,046
10
(25)
Global Total
1,761
1,715
1,734
19
(27)
