Mining Support Jobs Decline by Thousands in Feb.

U.S. mining employment showed slight dips in February, according to data released Friday from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Specifically, oil and gas extraction (categorized under ‘mining’) added 800 jobs in February. Conversely, support activities for mining (which include oilfield services) saw 3,800 jobs lost for the month.

So far in 2019, U.S. shale operators, such as ExxonMobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. have planned to increase production in the prolific Permian Basin.

According to weekly data analysis from Baker Hughes, a GE Company (BHGE), the U.S. has seen its rig count decline more weeks than it’s seen it increase this year.

BHGE reported March 7 that the U.S. average rig count for February 2019 was 1,049 – down 16 from 1,065 in January 2019. However, it’s up from the 969 counted in February 2018.

And while industry layoffs are not nearly as prominent as they were during the most recent years-long downturn, some companies have still announced personnel cuts this year.

In February, WildHorse Resources Management Company, which is being acquired by Chesapeake Energy Corp., laid off 94 Houston employees. Alta Mesa Services, LP laid off 58 employees at its facility in Houston.