HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is up 22 this week to 1,972 after falling 29 the previous week.
Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,337 rigs were exploring for oil and 631 were looking for gas. Four were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, Baker Hughes reported 1,800 rigs.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas led the way with 13 new rigs this week. Colorado, Louisiana and Oklahoma each gained five. Alaska, meanwhile, dropped by two rigs, while North Dakota and Wyoming each lost one. Arkansas, California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were unchanged.
The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.
— The Associated Press



