HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 21 this week to 1,465.
Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 949 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 502 for oil. Fourteen were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,043.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 23 rigs, Louisiana gained five, Colorado gained two and California gained one. Alaska lost four rigs, Arkansas and New Mexico each lost two and North Dakota and Pennsylvania each lost one. Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wyoming were unchanged.
The rig count tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.
