Oil and natural gas rigs in the Middle East rose to 405 in December 2013, up 17 rigs from the month before, according to Baker Hughes’ monthly International Rig Count.
Last month’s rig count was the highest in over a year, reflecting a growth in drilling activity across the region.
The jump was caused by seven additional rigs in Saudi Arabia, bringing the Kingdom’s total to 89, five of which were commissioned to produce natural gas. Moderate rig increases were also seen in Iraq, Oman and Qatar. Yemen also saw its rig count double from 3 to 6 over the month.
