The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States increased by five this week to 1,745.
Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,459 were exploring for natural gas and 281 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Five were listed as miscellaneous.
A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,571.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Colorado gained five rigs, Alaska added two and California gained one. Texas and Oklahoma each lost seven rigs and Louisiana lost one. New Mexico and Wyoming were unchanged.
Baker Hughes has tracked rig counts since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted several record lows in 1999, bottoming out at 488.
AP
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