Number of Drilling Oil and Gas Wells Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
8,708
drilling oil and gas wells businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The drilling oil and gas wells industry has grown 34% since 2000 (from 6,497 to 8,708 firms).
- •The peak year was 2015 with 10,861 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-7.2%).
- •Employment: 303,533 workers in 2023 (83.8% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 64%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8,708 | 10,870 | 303,533 | 11.2% | 8.7% | +17.5% |
| 2022 | 8,421 | 10,541 | 252,331 | 12.2% | 12.9% | +11.3% |
| 2021 | 8,316 | 10,603 | 225,111 | 7.9% | 15.1% | -30.5% |
| 2020 | 8,988 | 11,366 | 306,222 | 9.6% | 13.9% | -10.4% |
| 2019 | 9,386 | 11,880 | 340,373 | 11.5% | 11.2% | +4.9% |
| 2018 | 9,375 | 11,957 | 324,524 | 12.7% | 13.2% | +10.4% |
| 2017 | 9,220 | 12,047 | 292,817 | 13.8% | 16.9% | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 9,793 | 12,479 | 291,484 | 8.7% | 18.8% | -35.0% |
| 2015 | 10,861 | 13,706 | 414,993 | 13.4% | 11.4% | -2.5% |
| 2014 | 10,758 | 13,409 | 421,446 | 13.6% | 9.5% | +6.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.