Helmerich & Payne Tops U.S. Drillers in 2026 Rankings — Enverus, Inc.

Event summary

Helmerich & Payne led U.S. land drilling contractors with 15.85 million ft of total drilled measured depth across 776 wells in 1Q26.
Exxon topped drilling customers with 5.44 million ft drilled across 229 wells.
EOG moved up two positions to No. 2 among drilling customers.
U.S. active rigs averaged 637.6 for the week ended July 31, 2026, up 13% year over year.
Rankings compare activity across drilled footage, well count, drilling rate, measured depth, lateral length, and rig count.

The big picture

Enverus' 2026 rankings highlight the strategic importance of drilling activity metrics beyond just drilled footage, emphasizing the need for a holistic view of drilling pace, well design, and rig utilization. The data underscores the competitive landscape among top contractors and operators, with Helmerich & Payne and Exxon leading in their respective categories. The industry's reliance on advanced analytics for decision-making is evident, as companies leverage technology to optimize capital deployment and operational efficiencies.

What we're watching

Operational Efficiency: How Helmerich & Payne's leadership in drilled footage will affect its market positioning and operational strategies.
Market Dynamics: Whether Exxon can sustain its top position among drilling customers amid fluctuating oil and gas market conditions.
Technological Advancements: The pace at which data analytics and AI-native technology will continue to shape drilling activity and market benchmarks.