A rig is the equipment and machinery used to drill oil and gas wells into the earth. Drilling rigs are large structures with derricks (towers), hoisting equipment, and drilling apparatus. Rigs can be mobile (moving between locations) or fixed (for offshore or permanent facilities). Rig counts—the number of active drilling rigs—serve as economic indicators for the oil and gas industry. Rig activity affects resource communities through employment, traffic, and economic activity. Municipal planning must accommodate rig access roads and facilities. When commodity prices fall, rig activity decreases, impacting local economies. Environmental regulations govern rig operations and site reclamation after drilling.