In tandem with the recent rebound in the OSX (oil Service Index), the U.S. well-service rig outlook is also getting brighter.

Currently, there are about 3,600 marketable well-service rigs throughout the country, following the addition last year of about 250 net rigs, says Pierre E. Conner III, managing director and oilfield-services analyst for CapitalOne Southcoast in New Orleans. In addition, it looks like another 150 net service rigs will be added this year.

Meanwhile, going forward, service-rig fleet attrition is expected to be around 200 rigs annually.

"Pricing has stabilized, with pricing cuts more in the low- to middle single digits versus double-digit (pricing) cuts in pressure ...