贝克休斯:美国油气钻机数量8周来首次下降

据管道&天然气杂志网7月30日路透社报道，美国能源公司8周来首次削减了油气钻机数量，尽管钻机数量连续12个月增加，因为该行业纷纷以股票回购回报投资者，而不是增加产量。

据能源服务公司贝克休斯(Baker Hughes Co.)周五公布的数据显示，截至7月30日当周，美国油气钻机数量(作为未来产量的早期指标)减少了3台，至488台。

尽管本周钻机数量有所下降，但与去年同期相比，钻机总数增加了237台，增幅达94%。根据贝克休斯可以追溯到1940年的数据显示，这一数字也比2020年8月创纪录低点的244台翻了一番。

本周，美国石油钻机减少2台，至385台，天然气钻机减少1台，至103台。

当月，钻机总数增加18台，自2017年7月以来首次连续12个月增加，石油钻机数量增加13台，连续11个月增加。

美国原油期货交易价在每桶74美元左右，需求增长快于供应增长。本月早些时候，油价升至76.98美元，为2014年11月以来的最高交易价格。

今年油价已经上涨了50%以上，但与以往的繁荣周期不同，根据页岩油生产商本周发布的财报显示，他们仍坚持此前公布的支出和生产计划，通过回购或派息的方式为投资者提供更大的回报。

美国最大的石油生产商埃克森美孚（ Exxon Mobil ）表示，预计其2021年资本支出将处于此前区间的低端，但其目标是在今年下半年加大对关键项目的支出，包括美国二叠纪最大的页岩盆地。

雪佛龙(Chevron)表示，已将年度资本支出预估下调至低于去年的水平。这家美国第二大产油商表示，预计二叠纪的产量将与去年基本持平，但将在2021年下半年增加钻机数量。

美国石油生产商赫斯(Hess)周三表示，美国石油产量可能需要四年多的时间才能达到疫情前水平。尽管需求上升，但其仍坚持支出计划，将重点放在股东回报上。

郝芬 译自 管道&天然气杂志网

原文如下:

Gas Rig Count Falls for First Week in Eight -Baker Hughes

U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the first time in eight weeks, even though the rig count rose for 12 straight months, amid an industry stampede to reward investors with share buybacks instead of boosting production.

The U.S. oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by three to 488 in the week to July 30, according to data Despite this week's decline, the total rig count was up 237, or 94%, over this time last year. It has also doubled from a record low of 244 in August 2020, according to Baker Hughes data going back to 1940.

U.S. oil rigs fell two to 385 this week, while gas rigs fell For the month, the total count rose 18, putting it up for a 12th month in a row for the first time since July 2017, while the oil rig count increased by 13, gaining for 11 consecutive months.

U.S. crude futures were trading around $74 a barrel with demand growing faster than supply. Earlier this month, oil prices rose to $76.98, their highest intraday trade since November 2014.

Prices have jumped over 50% this year but in a departure from previous boom cycles, shale producers releasing results this week have hunkered down to their previously stated plans for spending and production to provide greater investor returns by way of buybacks or dividends.

Top U.S. oil producer Exxon Mobil said its 2021 capital spending is expected to be at the lower end of its prior range but aims for more spending Chevron Corp said it cut its annual capital spending forecast to below last year's. The second-largest U.S. producer said it expects output from the Permian to be almost same as last year's, but will add drilling rigs in the second half of 2021.

U.S. oil output could take more than four years to reach pre-pandemic levels, oil producer Hess Corp said on Wednesday, sticking to its spending plan despite rising demand to focus on shareholders returns.