HOUSTON—The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States dropped by 51 this week to 1,941.
Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,498 were exploring for natural gas and 429 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. A total of 14 were listed as miscellaneous.
A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,797.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas lost 23 rigs, Louisiana lost 13, New Mexico lost 12 and Oklahoma lost six. Arkansas gained two and Alaska, California, Colorado and North Dakota remained 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.
