The Great Rig Count Anomaly
Let’s talk about drills. For years, the number of active oil rigs was the ultimate barometer of industry health. More rigs meant more confidence, more production, more everything. Lately, however, that barometer has been pointing firmly towards stormy weather. The US oil rig count has tumbled to lows we haven't seen in years. You might think this signals a wholesale retreat from fossil fuels, but you’d only be half right.
Here’s the curious part. While oil rigs are being packed up and sent home, the number of rigs drilling for natural gas is actually holding firm, and in some cases, even ticking upwards. This isn't a statistical blip. It is, to my mind, a calculated pivot. Energy bosses, under immense pressure from shareholders to stop burning cash on speculative ventures, are reallocating their capital. They seem to be betting that natural gas is the sensible, grown-up choice for the foreseeable future.