Permian continues to add on new drilling activity even as the nationwide tally of drilling rigs falls.

New Mexico added five rigs this week although the U.S. rig count fell by four net rigs, led by dips in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

The Permian was the only U.S. basin to add more than one rig for the week. The Permian tacked on three rigs but all of the growth came in New Mexico. Texas’ western neighbor is building its lead as the second most active state for drilling activity. [read more]