Saudi Arabia's drilling rig count exceeds 230, Baker Hughes reports.

Baker Hughes reports that over 230 drilling rigs are operating in Saudi Arabia, exceeding the country's July active rig count of 69. The rigs include drilling for oil and gas, production testing, and other activities not historically reflected in worldwide rig counts. The company's website defines "active" rigs as those drilling a well and not in transit or used for other activities.

Baker Hughes has announced that over 230 drilling rigs are currently operational in Saudi Arabia, significantly exceeding the country's July active rig count of 69. This increase includes rigs drilling for both oil and gas, as well as those involved in production testing and other activities not traditionally reflected in worldwide rig counts.

The Houston-based company, which supplies technology to the global energy industry, provides weekly and monthly reports on active rigs. According to Baker Hughes, the monthly rig count data updated on Aug. 1 showed 69 active rigs in Saudi Arabia in July, comprising 20 drilling for oil and 49 drilling for gas [1].

Saudi Arabia's active oil rigs have been declining for the past six consecutive months, reaching 20 in July, down from 46 in early 2024. The internal oil rig count in July was 1,621, a decrease of 92 units year-on-year, but an increase of 22 units compared to the previous month [2].

The Middle East's active oil rigs fell to 334 units in July, marking a year-on-year decrease of 11 units. This data underscores the fluctuating nature of the global oil and gas drilling landscape, influenced by various economic and geopolitical factors.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-03/baker-hughes-says-230-drilling-rigs-are-working-in-saudi-arabia
[2] https://www.argaam.com/en/article/articledetail/id/1832556